What is your opinion?

[Pupil]

Dear all,
It's understood you all have different opinions about everything. So, I would like to know your views on following issue

Why do you think the Islam has been turned into political tool for some groups who are more concerned about the power rather than spiritual atmosphere in the Central Asian region?

What do you understand under the term as "religious fundamentalism"?

And finally, in what particular cases could you see the danger of the religious fundamentalism to the Central Asian region, especially to Uzbekistan whose people feel much more favour towards Islamic values?

Thank you very much.

[Nozima]

Dear Pupil!
You have raised a very interesting and timely issues (for me I can say). Thank you.
1.I think Islam has been turned into political tool because it is very special and differs much from the other religions. The main difference is that Islam can`t be separated from social, political and cultural life of the society, it covers all that areas of life, it has its system of rules concerning legislative, executive and judiciary matters, even the rules of marriage and family life. I can say that even if Uzbekistan is not an islamic state its rules and traditions do not differ much from those in Islam. But some fools (exuse me) do not think so and prefer chaos and anarchy to the peace and prosperity, they dream about power and money and religion is only a mask for them.Not everything is clear at first glance in religion and we must study it carefully before trying to change something in our lifes.
2."religious fundamentalism" for me is a big step towards regress. Of course it is very important to preserve traditions, to follow the rules that have beeen established many centuries ago but it is also very important to make changes, to stay actual. Fundamentalists reject any changes because for them it is better when people do not have an alternative, do not have a right to choose between old (anachronistic and out dated) and new (fresh and useful). For then it is more comfortable to govern upon not thinking men but a crowd which does not have its own opinion but just blindly follows after its leader.
3. There are a lot of such cases in our times unfortunately, for example the events that happened on February in Tashkent. It is an alarming fact that many of our Uzbek boys listen to that islamic exstremists (like Juma Namangoniy) and follow them. Young generation is a future of every country and if it turns towards such extremistic streams there comes a real danger. It is very easy to make youths beleive in something (especcially if it is a religion). I am a young girl myself and I`ve met a lot of people who wanted to influence me, that is why I can say that the problem exists and should be solved as quickly as possible.
Thank you once again.
Sorry if there are some mistakes, my English is no so good as I want it to be.
Best wishes, Nozima.