Islam in the Soviet Union: the evolution of state strategies from militant atheism to managed incorporation

Abstract

The article examines the evolution of the Soviet government's policy toward Islam from the 1920s to the 1980s. The analysis demonstrates that the initial Marxist approach, which viewed religion as a "relic," was shaped by the practical challenges of governing a multinational empire and safeguarding foreign policy interests. The study identifies several distinct stages, each characterized by different strategies: from tactical cooperation and severe repression in the early period to the establishment of the system of Spiritual Administrations of Muslims (DUM) during and after the war. Particular attention is paid to the "Thaw" period, when administrative and bureaucratic pressure led to a schism within the religious sphere and the emergence of a "parallel" Islam. Furthermore, the article explores the influence of the "Afghan factor" (1979-1989), which served as a catalyst for the politicization of Islamic identity and the introduction of radical interpretations. The conclusion is drawn that Soviet policy, which evolved from the denial of Islam to its instrumentalization, failed to achieve the goal of complete secularization. Instead, it contributed to the entrenchment of Islam in the private sphere and the accumulation of protest potential. The legacy of this policy - the duality of official and unofficial religious institutions - continues to influence post-Soviet societies.