Islam in Central Asia

Overview:

This 2-day short course will explore the rich history of Islam in Central Asia, from the socio-political landscape to the intellectual contributions of its scholars that have left profoundly lasting legacies. Central Asia has seen empires rise and fall, with dramatic regional power shifts having major impacts on the religious and cultural life in the region. Within the 1st century (AH)/8th century (CE) Islam has already reached these lands. Later, it would become home to the heart of the Silk Road, welcoming travellers from far and wide sharing their wares, arts and crafts, heritages and worldviews. As a hotbed of civilisational exchange, it gives birth to some of the greatest Islamic scholars and Muslim philosophers in Islamic history. This includes giants such as: Imam al-Bukhari, Imam al-Tirmidhi, Imam al-Maturidi, Hakim al-Tirmidhi, Al-Khawarizmi, al-Zamakhshari, Baha al-Din Naqshband, al-Farabi, Ibn Sina and many more. Acquainting ourselves with the lives and works of these great scholars gives us an insight into just how ripe the ground was, even perhaps amidst turbulence and controversy, for intellectual and spiritual pursuits in Central Asia. Later, these lands would fall under the rule of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union, which sought to establish atheism in place of such a vibrant Islamic heritage. As we prepare to travel to Uzbekistan in May 2025, this course provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about the country and wider region, a land that would be so vitally relevant to how we understand and engage with Islam today.

Join us as we delve deeper into the history and scholarly heritage of a region that would give birth to empires and intellectuals alike that would change the face of the ummah and our scholarly understanding of Islam.

Note: This course is included in the Islamic Heritage Tour: Uzbekistan 2025 Programme. If you are already enrolled in the programme, there’s no need to register separately for this course and you will receive the course access details closer to the course date. However, anyone interested in the topic in general can benefit from this course.