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Paper abstract:

This paper studies the transformation of migrants' identity, changes in the civil, religious and ethnic components of identity, role of migrant networks, diaspora organizations, Muslim communities, religious life institutions (mosques, prayer rooms, religious groups and networks) in these processes. The study is based on surveys of Tajik migrants in Russia and Tajikistan in 2010, 2014 and 2017, and interviews with migrants and religious leaders in 2014 - 2021.

In the mobile transnational community of migrants and their households who live in a constant movement between Tajikistan and Russia, complex multicomponent identities are formed, in which both Tajikistan and Russia are present. Almost half of migrants identify themselves with Tajik citizenship. Tajik state policy that restricts religious activity has a complex impact on both religious identity and citizenship. At the same time, ethnic identity becomes much more important in Russia than in Tajikistan. The religious component of identity is also changing. All these circumstances create a mosaic, flexible and constantly changing identity of Tajik migrants.

The paper shows that migration transforms identity: a) on a personal level: the content, weight, and ratio of individual components of identity change; b) on a level of social institutions: growing influence of migrant compatriot networks, religious communities acquire a network character; c) on a level of the religious component of identity: the transition from local to global Islam.

Mosques, and migrant networks contribute to formation of new identities of migrants, connecting the citizenship of Russia and Tajikistan with an increased importance of ethnic and religious identity. On the one hand, this creates a basis for emergence of an “ethnic Muslim” identity, and on the other, it sharpens a sense of solidarity with the global Ummah.

The influx of migrants to Russian mosques contributes to the exacerbation of contradictions between Islamic integrism and nationalism, local traditions and global Islam. New communication technologies and the Internet connect local Muslim communities in Tajikistan, and migrant communities in Russia with other regions of the world. This leads to a diversification of Islamic orientations and a spread of global Islam.