What is the faith of the Turkmens. Religion and law
Territory: 491,200 km². 52nd in the world.
Official language: Turkmen.
Capital: Ashgabat.
Currency: Turkmen manat.
Form of government: Presidential republic.
President - S.A. Niyazov (October 27, 1990, re-elected on June 21, 1992, from December 1999 President for life - December 21, 2006). G.M. Berdimuhamedov (since February 14, 2007).
Population: 5,655,457
Political structure
The head of state is the president, who is elected for a term of 5 years. At the same time, the life president of Turkmenistan until December 21, 2006 was Saparmurat Niyazov, who changed his name to Turkmenbashi (head of all Turkmens).
Executive power is represented by the government. The head of government is the chairman of the cabinet of ministers. Until his death, this position was held by Saparmurat Turkmenbashi, and since February 14, 2007, the current president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Legislative power is represented by the unicameral parliament of Turkmenistan - the Mejlis, which consists of 125 deputies. During the presidency of S.A. Niyazov, there was a People's Council - the Halk maslahaty, which consisted of the president, deputies of the Mejlis, people's representatives elected for 5 years, representatives of the judiciary, ministers, heads of regional administrations, representatives of public organizations, and elders. In accordance with the new Constitution, the Halk Maslakhaty has been abolished.
Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Kazyet (Court) of Turkmenistan and other Kazyets provided by law.
Political parties.
There are 3 officially registered political parties in Turkmenistan - the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan (which is the direct successor to the Communist Party of Turkmenistan), the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, and the Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan. Any opposition activity in Turkmenistan is prohibited and suppressed by law enforcement agencies and special services. Behind
There are several opposition parties abroad, such as the People's Democratic Movement of Turkmenistan and the Vatan People's Movement.
Economy
After the collapse of the USSR, limited privatization was carried out in Turkmenistan. Therefore, industry, agriculture, energy, transport, communications are still in the hands of the state. About 70% of Turkmenistan's GDP is gas and oil production. With huge reserves of these energy resources, Turkmenistan is an important trading partner for its neighbors, including Russia. About 40% of the able-bodied population is employed in industry, about half of the population is employed in agriculture and the service sector, respectively. In addition to oil and gas, electricity, cotton industry goods, and textile industry products are exported. Imports - machinery and equipment, chemicals, coal, drugs, food.
Turkmenistan is one of the countries closed to outside observers. It is often said that it is hard to live there, there is almost no freedom, and in religious terms, there are almost repressions at all. Is it true?
What faith is the most influential among Turkmens today, and is there such a thing at all? Let's talk about the religion of the Turkmens.
Turkmens are descendants of the legendary Oguz Khan
Let's avoid unnecessary details and focus on the main facts. Turkmens are a Turkic people. Historically, it goes back to the Oguzes, who, according to legend, had the legendary progenitor Oguz Khan.
If there was one, it is not clear exactly when. Researchers give too broad estimates: from the 7th century BC to the 3rd century AD.
Turkmens in national clothes. Photo: advantour.com
Over the centuries, the ancestors of the Turkmens mixed with different peoples and acquired their own distinctive features. Historically, the Turkmens lived on the territory of modern Turkmenistan, but they are settled on a much larger territory: Uzbekistan, Iran, Afghanistan, etc.
The state in Turkmenistan interferes in religious life, although it should not
At first glance, if you rely on the Constitution, then religiously everything is fine in Turkmenistan. The state guarantees people freedom of belief, allows them to express and receive the necessary information.
Restrictions apply only to various information constituting a state secret.
The limits of state and religious activity, according to the papers, are delimited and not suppressed. All religious organizations are promised equality before the law and banned from participating in the political life of the country.
Also, religious institutions should not interfere in the educational process, and every person has the right to freely, on their own initiative, get acquainted with their creeds, or not be interested in religion at all. But in fact, everything is far from being so cloudless.
The first serious blow to religious organizations is the requirement for their mandatory registration. Seems like a formality. But, as practice shows, not every community is able to pass this entrance threshold.
Since 2016, a special Commission has been solving religious issues in Turkmenistan.
However, this is not the worst thing. With a favorable development of events, you can even get a license to create an educational spiritual institution. True, it will be necessary to attract competent, graduate specialists to teachers. Otherwise it is impossible.
Register and let everything take its course will not work. In 2016, a law was adopted, according to which, a special Commission studies the activities and materials of religious organizations. In the event of claims against these organizations, serious measures can be taken against them.
In fact, it is this Commission that solves dozens of issues related to religious organizations:
- supervises the implementation of legislation;
- checks complaints;
- approves the head if the center of the organization is outside the country;
- organizes religious examinations;
- monitors religious literature entering the country;
- solves the issues of registration and opening of religious institutions.
A number of issues can also be resolved by local governments. So it is not possible for religious organizations to exist completely autonomously. They remain heavily dependent on the state.
For example, the same religious procession will need to be coordinated. He does not agree - it will be illegal to conduct such a ritual beyond the cult building.
In 1994, the so-called Gengesh was founded. This body supervises various religious organizations. It consists of the following persons:
- mufti;
- deputy mufti;
- Orthodox dean;
- civil official.
The reason for this composition is transparent: representatives of the leading religious traditions plus a neutral face.
The Turkmenbashi Rukhy Mosque is the main mosque of Turkmenistan. Photo: advantour.com Council members were given salaries at public expense. This is strange for a secular state, but we have what we have.
Gengesh conducts expert examinations and gives advice on religious issues. In fact, it is an intermediate organization between secular and religious. It is significant that members of the Gengesh freely and often participate in religious activities.
In ancient times, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity were practiced on the territory of Turkmenistan
In the pre-Islamic period, representatives of 3 great world religions have already visited here. Let's talk a little about each.
Buddhism - the teaching on how to leave the material world, full of suffering. Buddhism is not inherently atheistic, but completely ignores the question of the existence of God. Much more important is the way of life and thinking of a single person. Buddhism is a constant practice, a philosophy of moderation, and the most peaceful religious tradition in the world.
Zoroastrianism is a religion that spun off from Hinduism during the crisis of the Vedas.
The main task of Zoroastrianism was to completely reject the Vedic heritage and create a new religious tradition that would avoid the mistakes of the previous one.
As a result, the prophet Zarathustra created a religion that gave rise to dualistic traditions. Zoroastrianism is the first teaching that divides the world into evil and good. This is where the monotheistic traditions originate. Much in Judaism and Christianity is based on the ideas of Zoroastrianism: there are angels, the Last Judgment, an analogue of the devil, etc.
Christianity needs no introduction. It only makes sense to say that the Turkmens got to know her around the 3rd century.
The religion of 90% of Turkmens is Islam
What is the most popular religion among Turkmens? This is Sunni Islam. This religion was created by the legendary prophet Muhammad. A distinctive feature of Islam is that its Holy Scriptures are not attributed to man. This text is meant to be a direct revelation from God.
Islam is a young religion, but its supporters are convinced that it is the most correct one. The idea is that it was Islam that was practiced on earth from the very beginning. Christianity, Judaism and other religions are teachings distorted by time and people. Muhammad revived the former faith in its original form.
Reconstruction of the appearance of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Photo: god2019.net Sunni Islam is a tradition that does not honor Muhammad's relatives. In contrast, there is Shia Islam.
Having come to the territory of modern Turkmenistan, the Muslims ousted all other traditions and still retain their leading position.
Almost half a million people are Orthodox among Turkmens
Turkmens are reluctant to change their religion to Orthodoxy. Most of the believers are immigrants. Christian Orthodoxy is represented only by the Russian Orthodox Church.
how many Orthodox there are in Turkmenistan in 2019
Parishioners - about half a million people. This is approximately 9% of the total population, which makes Orthodoxy the second most important religion among the Turkmens.
According to current estimates for the fall of 2019, there were 12 Orthodox grams in Turkmenistan, where only 15 priests served.
Church of the Holy Trinity. Gora-Valdai village in Turkmenistan. Photo: gora-valdai.ru Gradually, Orthodoxy attracts more and more residents of Turkmenistan. The reason for this in the material for the website "CentrAsia" is explained by one former imam, whose name the journalists preferred not to give:
“The reason is the “stateization” of Islam, which S. Niyazov started about 15 years ago.
I am a deeply religious person, but I can say that when the state begins to interfere in religious affairs, and absolutely does not understand them, it begins to appoint a mufti and responsible persons in each mosque, I’m not talking about worshiping the Rukhname on an equal footing with the Koran, then nothing no good will come of it.
It would be better if the state remains secular than such "support" of Islam. What you are asking about is the main consequence of this intervention.
I am afraid that this trend - the departure of Muslims to other religions - will only grow. After all, our people are not only going to Orthodoxy.
Now there are many different sects that are very actively working with the population and involving people in their faith. And in difficult times, people need spiritual support, and they seek it.
But people who are poorly versed in Islam and do not have the appropriate education are now sitting in mosques. Relating to the service of the Great Allah, as to work.
Therefore, many are disappointed in Islam or simply stop going to mosques, preferring to pray at home.
The other day I watched a TV report about a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. There, Berdymukhammedov demands that the hyakim of the Mary velayat report on the construction of a mosque in Mary.
This means that again the state will decide where to build mosques, who will build them, and, accordingly, will itself appoint imams there.
Why is this? Why are they again interfering in the affairs of religion? One hope is that the Hajj he is doing and his meetings with the leaders of Saudi Arabia will teach our president something.”
12 Orthodox parishes for 2019 operate in Turkmenistan.
Zarina I., an Uzbek woman who converted to Christianity in 2002, tells about more personal reasons for converting to Orthodoxy:
“In the Russian Church, unlike the mosque (where you can come only on Friday), we can come at any time.
The church is open from morning to evening. Here we can talk with the priest, get good advice from him on how to act in this or that life situation.”
There are Catholics, Protestants, Hare Krishnas and representatives of other traditions in Turkmenistan
The religious world of Turkmenistan is not limited to Muslims and Orthodox. Almost all believers of other religions are immigrants who have kept their devotion to their religious traditions.
Of the Christians, there are both Catholics (about 50 people!), And Lutherans. Both of them are officially registered. But the Jehovah's Witnesses were much less fortunate: they operate illegally. At the same time, there are Christian small Christian communities that nevertheless achieved recognition from the state.
There is even a small community of Hare Krishnas in Turkmenistan:
- Pentecostals;
- Baptists;
- Adventists.
In addition to Christian churches, there is also a Hare Krishna community, registered in 2004.
National culture of Turkmenistan Like a sponge, it absorbed the features of the beliefs of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and Christianity, but the dominant religious customs with the advent of Islam are the traditions and rituals of Sharia. No less important than religious dogmas are the tribal relations of the Turkmens that have developed over the centuries. The revered and wise elders, the aksakals, enjoy unsurpassed authority. Each tribal group has its own pronounced cultural characteristics, distinctive elements of national clothing, embroidery and jewelry.
Religion of Turkmenistan
To date, the dominant - Islam belongs to the vast majority of the country's population. 89% of the inhabitants are Sunni Muslims, 9% of believers adhere to the customs of Orthodox Christianity.
Economy of Turkmenistan
In terms of GDP, it is the ninety-fourth economy among the countries of the world. Turkmenistan has developed textile, food and chemical industries. Foreign trade is dominated by the export of oil products and gas.
Science of Turkmenistan
State Turkmenistan characterized by almost complete literacy of the population. The modern one is distinguished by a developed system of primary and secondary education, which, along with scientific research, is supervised by the Academy of Sciences. The Academy is responsible for scientific institutes, among which the world-famous Institute of Deserts occupies not the last place.
Art of Turkmenistan
The diversity of the ethnogenesis of the Turkmen people had a significant impact on, in which the motives of the Turkic and Iranian peoples are traced. The most ancient traditions of the country and the symbol of the Turkmen people is the unsurpassed art of carpet weaving. According to ancient legends, it was in this amazing country that the world's first carpet was woven. Carpets of Turkmenistan are distinguished by the special subtlety and purity of traditional “gel” patterns. The skill of carpet weaving is passed down from generation to generation and is the national pride of the country.
Cuisine of Turkmenistan
culture The country is strong in its culinary traditions. Diverse and amazing - fragrant soups umpach-zashi and gaynatma, the splendor of traditional second courses, beshmarbek and, of course, Turkmen pilaf - will not leave true gourmets indifferent. Only in Turkmenistan you can taste the most unusual pilaf in Asia, in which fish is used instead of traditional lamb. coastal geography of Turkmenistan led to a fairly widespread use of seafood in national cuisine.
Customs and traditions of Turkmenistan
Original traditions and customs of Turkmenistan the roots go back to the ancient culture of the Turkic Oguz people and the Islamic religion. Most of the traditions and customs accompany the locals throughout their lives and largely determine their way of life. One of the brightest and most beautiful customs is the tradition of marriage, the preparation for which is a real event in the life of the family. The most colorful and detailed wedding ritual is reproduced in rural settlements.
Sports of Turkmenistan
The Turkmen people are traditionally considered a sports nation - sport Turkmenistan goes back to the ancient traditions of the past. Among the national sports there are various directions and types of wrestling, football is no less favorite among modern Turkmens.
Like their relatives in Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran are predominantly Muslim. According to the CIA World Factbook, Turkmenistan is 89% Muslim and 10% Eastern Orthodox. The majority of ethnic Russians are Orthodox Christians. The remaining 1% is unknown. A 2009 Pew Research Center report indicates a higher percentage of Muslims with 93.1% of Turkmenistan's population adhering to Islam.
Although the 1995 census showed that ethnic Russians made up almost 7 percent of the population, subsequent emigration to Russia and other countries has significantly reduced this proportion. Most ethnic Russians and Armenians are Orthodox Christians. There are 13 Russian Orthodox churches, 3 of which are in Ashgabat. A priest residing in Ashgabat leads the Orthodox Church in the country, serving under the religious jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Archbishop in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. There are no Russian Orthodox seminaries there.
Ethnic Russians and Armenians make up a significant percentage of members of unregistered religious communities; ethnic Turkmen appear to be increasingly represented among these groups. There are small communities of the following unregistered denominations: Roman Catholic Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and several evangelical Christian groups, including "Separate" Baptists, charismatic groups, and a non-partisan, non-denominational group.
A very small community of ethnic Germans, most of whom live in and around the town of Serakhs, are reported to be practicing Lutherans. Approximately one thousand ethnic Poles live in the country; they have been largely absorbed into the Russian community and consider themselves Russian Orthodox. The Catholic community in Ashgabat, which included both citizens and foreigners, met in the chapel of the Apostolic Nuncio. There were some foreign missionaries, although the extent of their activity was unknown.
An estimated one thousand Jews live in the country. Most of them are members of families who came from Ukraine during World War II. There are some Jewish families living in Turkmenabat, on the border with Uzbekistan, who are known as Bukharan Jews, in reference to the Uzbek city of Bukhara. There were no synagogues or rabbis, as Jews continued to emigrate to Israel, Russia, and Germany; however, the Jewish population remains relatively constant. Communities gathered for religious ceremonies but did not decide to register as a religious group; and there were no reports of harassment.
Islam and its history in Turkmenistan
Islam came to the Turkmen mainly through the activities of Sufi sheikhs, and not through mosques and the "high" written tradition of a sedentary culture. These sheikhs were holy men critical in the process of harmonizing Islamic beliefs with pre-Islamic belief systems; they were often adopted as "patrons" of particular clans or tribal groups, thereby becoming their "founders". The reformulation of communal identity around such figures constitutes one of the highly localized developments in Islamic practice in Turkmenistan.
Integrated into the Turkmen tribal structure is the "holy" tribe övlat. Ethnographers consider övlat, six of which are active, as an updated form of ancestor worship injected with Sufism. According to their genealogies, each tribe descends from the Prophet Muhammad through one of the four caliphs. Because of their belief in sacred origin and the spiritual powers of the övlat Turkmen representatives of these tribes correspond to a special, sacred status. In the 18th and 19th centuries the övlat tribes became dispersed in small, compact groups in Turkmenistan. They attended and conferred blessings on all important communal and life cycle events, and also acted as intermediaries between clans and tribes. The övlat institution retains some power today. Many of the Turkmen who are revered for their spiritual powers trace their origins to övlat, and it is not uncommon, especially in rural areas, for such people to be present at the life cycle and other communal celebrations.
Hinduism
Hinduism spread in Turkmenistan by Hare Krishna missionaries. Krishnas are a minority community in Turkmenistan. Many of the 600 Indians in Turkmenistan are Hindu.
And recognizes it as an integral part of their culture. There is no state religion in Turkmenistan, and the country's constitution provides for freedom of belief. Although Islam is widespread, there is a low, in relation to other countries, commitment to religion. Muslims in Turkmenistan are not as strict in attending services, but recognize the need to restore the importance of the language as an important element in the rebirth of the country.
Religious demographics
Considering the religion of Turkmenistan as a percentage, it is worth noting that Islam has the largest share of the country's population - 89%. Sunni Islam is the most practiced branch among Muslims in the country. The minority religion in Turkmenistan is Christianity with 9%. Other beliefs in the country make up only 2% of the population.
The emergence of many beliefs can be correlated with 20th century European immigration to Turkmenistan. A significant number of immigrants are Russians, Armenians, Poles and Germans. Most of these immigrants consider themselves Orthodox Christians, Catholics or Lutherans. Smaller Christian communities are Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists and Pentecostals.
History of Islam in Turkmenistan
Prior to the emergence of Islam in the religions of Turkmenistan, it, like many of its Central Asian neighbors, had Buddhism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity as its dominant faiths. Sufi sheikhs were tasked with spreading Islam and introducing it into the country. They were accepted as the "founders" of certain ethnic groups or clans, which subsequently laid the foundation for highly localized changes in the religion of Turkmenistan for some time. Part of the Turkmen tribal structure is a holy tribe called övlat. Six of the holy tribes are active, and each of them is believed to trace its lineage to the Prophet Muhammad through one of the caliphs. Members of the övlat retain some level of spiritual authority to this day.
Islam in Turkmenistan was heavily suppressed during the Soviet era under atheistic doctrines. Mosques across the country were closed and various Islamic practices were banned by the authorities. Only in 1990 did they begin to revive religion in independent Turkmenistan. Islam was studied in educational institutions, and mosques and religious schools were erected throughout the country.
Religion in Turkmenistan has evolved over time into a mixture of Sunni Islam, Sufi mysticism and Zoroastrianism, as well as shamanistic traditions. Such shamanistic practices include widespread beliefs in divination, the evil eye, and amulets. Shia Islam is mainly practiced by immigrants such as Iranians and Kurds.
Modern Islam
The current government controls official Islam through a structure inherited from the Soviet period. The Muslim Religious Council of Turkmenistan, together with Uzbekistan, is the Muslim religious administration of Mawarannahr. It was based in Tashkent and has a significant impact on the appointment of religious leaders in the country. The governing body of Islamic judges (Kaziat) is registered with the Ministry of Justice of Turkmenistan, and the Council for Religious Affairs under the Cabinet of Ministers oversees the activities of the clergy. Persons wishing to become members of the official clergy must attend official religious institutions; however, some can prove their qualifications simply by passing an exam.
Since 1990, efforts have been made to restore part of the cultural heritage lost under Soviet rule. President Niyazov ordered that basic Islamic principles be taught in public schools. More schools and mosques have appeared, many of which were created with the support of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Turkey. Religious classes are held with the teaching of the Quran and Hadith, as well as the history of Islam in Arabic.
Some state leaders and teachers working outside the official structure have pledged to raise public awareness of Islam, expand the role of religion in society and increase adherence to its principles. Worried that such activization could exacerbate tensions between Sunnis and Shiites and especially alienate Orthodox Slavs, the government has drawn up plans to upgrade the Council of Religious Affairs to the status of a ministry in order to more strictly regulate religious activity.
Freedom of religion in the country
Turkmenistan is a peaceful state and ensures freedom of religion for its citizens. But unregistered religious activity is illegal, including setting up places of worship (altars), holding worship services, and distributing religious materials. All religious activity in the country is monitored and controlled by the Council for Religious Affairs (CRA).
Minority religious groups do not have representation on the Council, which hinders and makes it difficult for them to operate and obtain permission to do so from the CRA. The media reported that unregistered religious groups faced harassment, fines, imprisonment and deportation. Ethnic Turkmen who are converted to other religions face the highest levels of social problems. The religious landscape of Turkmenistan is relatively unfavorable for minorities.
Religion and law
Criminal and administrative codes prohibit harassment of registered religious groups, but the ban does not extend to unregistered ones. The authorities generally do not enforce it due to a lack of reports from registered religious groups that have expressed concern that the authorities have increased harassment or monitoring of their activities. The Administrative Code provides for penalties of 200-500 manats ($70-176) for officials who violate a person's right to freedom of worship or abstention from it, as well as fines of up to 10,000 manats ($3,521) for religious groups receiving unauthorized donations from outside the country.
Mysticism and the power of amulets
Turkmens believe in charms and amulets, which they consider to be endowed with special magical powers. It is believed that beads, bird feathers, ram horns and other items are able to drive away evil spirits, summon good ones and protect their owners from various troubles and misfortunes. These gizmos can be in the shape of an eye, a heart, a snake's head, small shells, or scarab beetles. Amulets and talismans and images associated with them are found in carpets, embroidery and clothing, as well as jewelry.
Magical powers have been attributed to certain types of fruits, seeds, and grains for hundreds of years. One of the earliest amulets was a necklace of jida seeds, pomegranate, pistachios and cloves. According to ancient beliefs, the strong smell of these plants could protect the owner from the evil eye, and a woman wearing such a necklace could quickly become pregnant.
