Paper short abstract:

This article discusses the Basmachi movement in the context of the problems of relations between the Soviet government and the broad Muslim masses” (on the example of Kyrgyzstan in the 20s of the XX century).

Paper long abstract:

From the first years of its existence until its collapse, the Soviet government pursued a dual policy towards Muslims. In difficult conditions for her, she showed high flexibility, and at the time of her strengthening - rigidity. This situation is observed in the 1920s. in the history of Kyrgyzstan. Under the conditions of a new change of power (October 1917), the liquidation of the "Kokand autonomy" (February 1918), the blow of the Soviets on the Islamic principles of social structure caused indignation among Muslims. By closing mosques and madrasahs, liquidating waqf lands, depriving the ulema of the right to resolve civil disputes, the Soviet government set against itself virtually the entire Muslim population of the region, which ultimately led to the activation of the Basmachi as the sharpest reaction of the broad Muslim masses to the policy of large-scale terror of the Soviet government. Showing flexibility, the Soviet government during this period for some time made concessions to the Muslims, granting religious freedoms, but later tightened it again. At the same time, the use of the Muslim ideology, the slogan "For Islam", the announcement of "gazavat" against the Bolsheviks played a negative impact on the further existence of Islam in Soviet Kyrgyzstan.