[CivilSoc] Barbee Response to Uzbekistan and Radical Islam

[Center for Civil Society International]

Date: Sat, 06 Oct 2001 17:36:53 -0600
From: John & Nancy Barbee <jnbarbee@sopris.net>
Re: [CivilSoc] Uzbekistan and Radical Islam
Yes, the facts and allegations reported in this are substantially
accurate. I have been working in Central Asia, but mostly in
Tajikistan since 1994.
I would add, however, that the oppressive acts that the Uzbekistan
government has perpetrated against Muslim citizens, despite the fact
that nearly all of them were not affiliated in any way with the IMU,
but the harsh treatment that all Muslims have received from the
Government of Uzbekistan, has done much to drive the formerly
moderate Muslims to join, at least in spirit, with the IMU.
I do not agree with Professor Niyazi that they majority of Uzbekistan
is controlled by a unified Islamic movement, but, unless some serious
and major changes of the current restrictive and unjust policy and
practices toward Muslims of the present Uzbekistan [government]
occurs very soon, they very likely will become so.  The President of
Uzbekistan has basically declared war on Islam--a very unwise thing
for any government to do against any religion.
Not mentioned in the articles was the fact that the Ferghana Valley
area includes Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.  Historically
it has been a valuable asset, in that it is very fertile and
productive, and has therefore been a geo-political hot potato.  That
history also includes efforts to put down religious groups that often
resulted in unified religious opposition. With the post-Soviet
boundaries that chop it up into nearly unmanagable parts, the
policies and practices of the Uzbekistan government have made the
Ferghana a potential powder keg of national, international and
religious friction that extends to three of the five Central Asian
Republics.
Add the US and Afghanistan into the equation and I believe that the
problems may be quite greater than foreseen.
Sincerely,
John Barbee
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
John W. Barbee, Consultant
Development of Communitieis and NGOs
1202 Walz Aveneu
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Tel/FAX: 01-070-928-0173
Email:  jnbarbee@sopris.net