The State and Political Islam in Central Asia

This article presents an overview of the topic of Islam in central Asia especially political movements in central Asia through their historical, social and political background and the nature of the states relations with political movements. Political Islam in central Asia is currently undergoing a transitional phase. Radical groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and Hizb Ut-Tahrir (HT) no longer monopolize the Islamist scene. Through a descriptive-analytic approach , this article aims at examining and comparing the biography, political career, and beliefs of three representatives of political Islam in Central Asia, focusing on the complex relationship between the Islamic movements and the authoritarian regimes that have left no space for political opposition .The goal of this study is to examine and compare the biography, political career, and beliefs of three representatives of political Islam in Central Asia, focusing on the complex relationship between the Islamic movements and the authoritarian regimes that have left no space for political opposition.

Keywords:
Political Islam, Islamic movement, Caliphate, Islamic State.