The role of urban religiosity in cultural resistance to Soviet style secularization: The case of Uzbekistan

Communism and Soviet-style secularization sought to suppress Islam and dismantle Islamic values in Central Asia. Although the collapse of the USSR allowed Islam to reassert itself against Soviet 'secular' ideology, the region did not achieve true religious freedom due to the continuation of Soviet-style policies in the subsequent period. In Soviet and post-Soviet Uzbekistan, state pressure on Islam led to the rise of sentiments of resistance within society. The strong religious will of certain local intellectuals played a critical role in this complex historical process. This thesis examines the roles of the ulema, unofficial ulema, Jadids, and the newly-emerged Neo-Jadids in resisting and opposing state policies, particularly emphasizing urban life and culture. The study argues that the city itself—its vibrant religious life, madrasas, libraries, and long-standing traditions of Islamic scholarship—significantly shaped the resistance. Uzbekistan, home to the historic capitals of nearly all Central Asian states before the Soviet invasion, developed a distinct Islamic heritage that fostered a deep sense of responsibility among the local population to protect it. This sense of duty has fueled several Islamic revolts over the past centuries. Even under Soviet rule and in the post-Soviet era, Uzbekistan's population maintained a higher level of religiosity compared to other Soviet Muslim communities. This thesis will explore how urban religiosity played a pivotal role in shaping cultural resistance to Soviet-style secularization and continues to influence struggles for greater religious freedom in contemporary Uzbekistan.