The main goal is to combat extremist messages that young people in Kyrgyzstan receive from recruiters.
Concerns about the vulnerability of Kyrgyz youth to extremist ideas compel educators to respond.
The creation of a manual on religious studies for youth titled "Religions in the History of World Culture" was prompted by the intensified activities of banned religious organizations.
“The propaganda of ideas by banned movements poses a threat to security and can destabilize the situation in the republic,” said the author of the textbook, consultant to law enforcement and security structures in the field of religious security, and lecturer at the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University on world culture and religion, Vladimir Shkolny. “The primary target audience of sects and radical organizations is schoolchildren, students, and working youth.”
Kyrgyzstan, like other Central Asian countries, has expressed concern over the involvement of some young people in the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts.
“The State Commission on Religious Affairs supports the publication of the textbook for high school students and university students,” said the head of the analytical department of the State Commission on Religious Affairs, Zakir Chotaev. “There are many problematic aspects in this area. One way to address this is to increase public awareness, particularly among our young citizens.”
Competition with the message of extremists
In 1991, after gaining independence from the Soviet Union, members of various movements in Kyrgyzstan, some more destructive than others, rushed in to fill the vacuum.
“Recently, youth are increasingly turning to religion. The main reason is the disbelief of young people in the values espoused by the older generation. The consequence of this is the formation of a spiritual vacuum,” said Shkolny.
In Kyrgyzstan, the activities of 14 religious organizations, including the Taliban, are banned.
“However, their missionaries are active. In recent years, 1,200 missionaries from 54 countries have operated in Kyrgyzstan,” said Shkolny.
Work with schools and universities in the next academic year
The textbook is designed for students in grades 10-11. Starting from the new academic year, it will be implemented in 15 schools: ten in the capital and five in the southern part of the country. Additionally, two universities will teach from the new edition starting from the new academic year.
The textbook provides information about the major religions of the world. It includes a list of banned religious movements, explains why their activities are prohibited, how to distinguish the ideas of radical movements from traditional ones, and the dangers of adherence to banned religious movements.
“Students at our university are actively interested in religion,” said Nina Galkina, a lecturer on world religions at the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University. “They always ask a lot of questions. And there is a lot of literature in the religious sphere everywhere. But all these sources only mislead the youth. There hasn’t been such an accessible and clearly written book before.”
This textbook will also be used by employees of the State Commission on Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the State National Security Committee, as they need knowledge of religion for their work.
Clearly expressed idea
The idea of publishing the textbook arose 8 years ago.
“During this time, I conducted research in schools to find out what specifically interests young people,” said Shkolny. “I collected data and conducted trial use of the textbook in pilot schools in Bishkek. The materials presented in the textbook were reviewed by the State Commission on Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State National Security Committee, and the Ministry of Education.”
The publication has received widespread approval in academic circles.
“The topics in the textbook are very relevant,” said Yulia Gerasimenko, head of the educational department at school No. 17 in Bishkek. “We, teachers, are interested in ensuring that our youth are not brainwashed, and that the materials of this textbook are taught to our children.”
In the photo: University lecturer Vladimir Shkolny teaches religion to eighth graders at state school No. 17 in Bishkek in May.
Asker Sultanov,
"CA online",