Islamic movements have become a crucial political issue in Uzbekistan. Despite having taken some transitional democratic measures (opposition parties were granted legal status, an ombudsman was appointed, etc.), and even though President Karimov had shown an early interest in Western (and in particular European) institutional systems, it seems that over the past five years the democratic process in Uzbekistan has taken a step back to practices inherited from Soviet times. Much of the state’s repressive apparatus and many of the its negative economic policies have been attributed to the need to fight against Islamic extremist. The most prominent Islamic groups in Uzbekistan are the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT). After the IMU infrastructure and capacity was destroyed during the U.S.- led military campaign in Afghanistan in 2001 its role in challenging the regime of President Karimov´s regime states has been taken over by the non-violent radical group Hizb ut-Tahrir. Unlike the IMU, the HuT is a true transnational organization that consists of semiindependent branches, only some of which are in Central Asia. In Central Asia, it has been most active in Uzbekistan.
The purpose and the limit of this paper is to give an overview of the historical background, the ideology, the organisational structures and the aims of the HuT. Special attention will be paid to its political methodology and its attitude towards violence, which is essential to understand and assess the role of Islamic movements such as HuT Uzbekistan. Due to the government’s crackdown of the party, state propaganda, conflicting media reports lead by internal and external interest groups and the parties own propaganda agenda it is very difficult to find reliable information about the parties involvement in the region. However, the International Crisis Group (ICG) is the trustworthiest source in this aspect since it has a regular and extended coverage of the area and its political situation with a special focus on the Islamic movements. In addition, they have on the spot teams with direct contact to locals which gives them additional credibility. The papers statements regarding the party’s activities in Uzbekistan are thus mostly based on ICG report about HuT in Central Asia.
Table of Contents
I. Preface
II. Introduction
1.) The Umma-Concept
2.) Islamic Movements in Central Asia: Between Nation and Umma
III. Roots, Emergence in Uzbekistan and Ideology
1.) Origins
2.) Emergence in Uzbekistan
3.) Introduction to the Ideology of the Liberation Party
IV. Organization and Political Methodology
1.) Organization
2.) Political Methodology
V. Attitude Towards Violence
V. Conclusion
Objectives and Thematic Focus
This paper provides a critical overview of the historical background, ideology, organizational structure, and aims of Hizb ut-Tahrir, specifically analyzing its role and activities within Uzbekistan. The central research objective is to assess the group's political methodology and its stance on violence, given the complex interplay between the party's transnational agenda and the repressive political landscape of Central Asia.
- Historical origins and transnational evolution of Hizb ut-Tahrir
- Ideological framework and the concept of the Islamic Caliphate
- Hierarchical, decentralized organizational structure and recruitment strategies
- Political methodology and ideological rejection of Western democratic systems
- Analysis of the party's attitude toward violence within the context of state repression
Excerpt from the Book
3.) Introduction to the Ideology of the Liberation Party
The establishment of a Khaleefah is an obligation upon all Muslims in the world. Performing this duty, like any of the duties prescribed by Allah (swt) upon the Muslims, is an urgent obligation in which there can be no choice or complacency. Negligence in performing this duty is one of the greatest sins, for which Allah (swt) punishes severely.
The ultimate aim of Hizb ut-Tahrir is nothing less than to create a unified Islamic state headed by a Caliph in order to stop the decline of the Islamic World and return the Umma to her rightful place as the first state in the world. As some scholars point out there is there is no gradualism or compromise with other forms of political structure or legal provisions.
According to the Hizb ut-Tahrir the reasons for the failure of attempts to revive the Muslims with Islam so far is threefold:
The lack of an accurate understanding of the Islamic Idea due to ignorance of the Arabic language and the reconciliation of Islam wit foreign philosophies such as Indian, Persian and Greek despite complete contradiction.
The lack of clarity of the method of Islam in implementing its ideas. Muslims forgot about their duty to spread Islam and focused on teaching ethics and building mosques.
The failure to link the Islamic idea with the Islamic method tightly and inseparably. Muslims concentrate on studying the rules of prayer, marriage, divorce etc. and neglect the rules of jihad, the Kilafah etc. detaching thus the method from the general idea.
Summary of Chapters
I. Preface: This chapter introduces the political climate in Uzbekistan, detailing the crackdown on perceived Islamic extremists and the specific challenges in researching groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir.
II. Introduction: This section outlines the theological concept of the Umma and analyzes contemporary Islamic movements in Central Asia as they navigate between nationalism and supranational religious identities.
III. Roots, Emergence in Uzbekistan and Ideology: This chapter covers the historical founding of the party, its expansion into Central Asia, and the core ideological tenets that define its global agenda.
IV. Organization and Political Methodology: This section details the clandestine, hierarchical cell structure of the party and explains its non-violent approach to political change through three distinct stages of action.
V. Attitude Towards Violence: This chapter addresses the controversial link between the party and violence, distinguishing between its ideological stance on jihad and its current reliance on political and intellectual work.
V. Conclusion: The final section summarizes the party's limitations as a political actor and reflects on the risks of radicalization posed by state repression in the current geopolitical environment.
Keywords
Hizb ut-Tahrir, Uzbekistan, Islamic Caliphate, Khilafah, Islamic Movements, Umma, Central Asia, Political Methodology, Islamo-nationalism, Radicalization, Islamic State, Islam Karimov, Salafism, Jihad, Political Insurgency
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this seminar paper?
The paper examines the historical origins, organizational structure, ideology, and political objectives of Hizb ut-Tahrir, with a specific focus on its activities and the reaction to it within Uzbekistan.
Which thematic fields are central to the study?
The study centers on the intersection of religion and politics in Central Asia, the development of transnational Islamic movements, and the dynamics of state repression against non-violent, radical organizations.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The primary objective is to demystify Hizb ut-Tahrir's political methodology and to objectively analyze its stated attitude toward violence in the context of global security concerns.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The research relies on a qualitative synthesis of primary source literature from the party, expert analyses by the International Crisis Group (ICG), and scholarly works on Islamic networks and political history.
What are the core topics covered in the main body?
The main body treats the ideological evolution from a local Palestinian organization to a global actor, the Leninist-style cell structure of the party, and the three-stage political strategy for establishing a Caliphate.
What are the key descriptors for this movement?
The movement is characterized by its transnational focus, absolute rejection of secular ideologies like capitalism and nationalism, and its self-definition as an elite intellectual vanguard.
How does the author explain the party's foothold in Central Asia?
The author suggests that the party's organizational language—relying on concepts like "vanguard" and "revolution"—resonated with the region's existing familiarity with the Leninist political lexicon.
How is the party's stance on violence interpreted?
While the party officially rejects violent action as a method for change now, the author notes that its long-term theological stance on jihad and the severe repression it faces create an inherent risk of future radicalization.
- Quote paper
- Franco Burgio (Author), 2006, Islamic Movements in Uzbekistan: Who is Hizb-ut-Tahrir?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/53959
