THE COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS CULTS AFFAIRS AND THE SPIRITUAL ADMINISTRATION OF MUSLIMS IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS: A STUDY OF INTERACTION

Authors

  • Vaceslav Abdulovic Ahmadullin Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation 0000-0003-4441-2384 (unauthenticated)
  • Habibullo Edgorovic Sagdiev International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32653/CH212274-288

Keywords:

Buinaksk, Dagestan, Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the North Caucasus, charter, congress, Council for Religious Cults Affairs

Abstract

This study attempts to reconstruct the dynamics of interaction between Soviet authorities and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the North Caucasus (SAMNC). During the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet administration changed their religious policy. It was a tactical adjustment rather than a strategic overhaul. Soviet leaders did not acknowledge the pre-war rigidity and severity in state-confessional relations as erroneous or criminal. In 1943–1944, the USSR established three new Spiritual Administrations of Muslims, including the SAMNC in Dagestan. The SAMNC, supervised by the Council for Religious Cults Affairs (CRCA) under the Soviet government for 21 years, played a critical role in monitoring religious activities, documenting the religious climate for regional and national leadership, and gauging the sentiments of believers. The CRCA, through its representatives in Dagestan, facilitated congresses, plenary sessions, and leadership elections for the SAMNC, while also contributing to revisions of its charter. Drawing on previously unexamined archival documents, this article analyzes key aspects of these interactions, revealing the underlying nature of state-confessional relations shaped by Dagestani authorities, the CRCA, and Soviet leadership.

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Author Biographies

  • Vaceslav Abdulovic Ahmadullin, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation
    Doctor of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor, Professor of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation
  • Habibullo Edgorovic Sagdiev, International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan
    PhD (in History), Associate Professor

References

Shikhaliev ShSh. Transformation of Sufism in Light of Religious Policy and Resettlement of Highlanders in Dagestan in the 1930s–1990s. PAX ISLAMICA. 2013; 11(2): 93-111. (In Russ)

Sulaev IKh. The State and Muslim Clergy in Dagestan: History of Relations (1917–1991). Makhachkala: Format, 2009. (In Russ)

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Published

2025-07-19

Issue

Section

History

How to Cite

1.
Ahmadullin VA, Sagdiev HE. THE COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS CULTS AFFAIRS AND THE SPIRITUAL ADMINISTRATION OF MUSLIMS IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS: A STUDY OF INTERACTION. ИАЭК. 2025;21(2):274-288. doi:10.32653/CH212274-288