Religion, Sta​te and Secularism in Eurasia… and Beyond

This seminar will explore state-sponsored secularism in the Eurasian continent, and how the authorities use the concept of the separation of state and religion to consolidate authoritarian policies. It looks at Russia, Central Asia and China, comparing them with the Middle-East. In the name of state secularism, Islamic communities are prohibited from interfering in politics, while the state strictly monitors religious activities, and interactions with the rest of the Ummah are looked upon with suspicion.

4:00pm Presentations

Alexsey Malashenko (Carnegie Moscow)

Sean Roberts (GWU)

Nader Hashemi (University of Denver)

5:15pm Discussion