Round Table with SOAS faculty and students and public lecture by Dr. Emil Nasritdinov

April 17, 2025

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The International and Comparative Politics (ICP) Department was honored to host a series of insightful events on April 7, in collaboration with faculty and students from SOAS 好色tv of London. The events fostered academic exchange and in-depth discussions on critical regional issues, with a focus on Kyrgyzstan and broader Central Asia.

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The day began with a roundtable discussion featuring two prominent scholars:

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Dr. Medet Tiulegenov presented 鈥淐ontentious Events and Social and Political Challenges in Kyrgyzstan鈥�, offering a timely and critical analysis of recent political developments, social movements, and governance issues in the country.
Dr. Asel Murzakulova followed with 鈥淕rassroots Resilience: Unveiling Community-Driven Climate Adaptation Strategies in Central Asia鈥�. Her talk highlighted how local communities are actively responding to climate change, showcasing adaptation models rooted in indigenous knowledge and grassroots efforts.

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Research Presentation: Changing Urban Religious Landscapes in Central Asia

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The program also included a compelling student-led presentation on urban religious architecture and identity in Central Asian cities, specifically Bishkek, Tashkent, and Almaty. The research focused on the transformation of urban spaces since independence and explored how religious expression has shaped and been shaped by urban development.

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In Bishkek, the students examined a variety of mosques, each reflecting the city鈥檚 diverse cultural and historical layers:

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The first mosque in the city, built by a Tatar merchant, and the old central mosque, notable for its interior and historical figure behind its construction.
The As-Sarakhsi Mosque, Kyrgyzstan鈥檚 new central mosque built in the Turkish Sulaimani style, now standing on the site of a former movie theater.
The Manas 好色tv Mosque, Abubakr Sydyq Mosque (Uzbek, Timurid style), and the Madina Bazar Mosque (Uyghur style).
The Ikhlas Mosque, representing the Dungan community with traditional Dungan architecture.
The Khalifa Al-Rashidin Mosque, built with support from Arab foundations, and the 7th April Mosque, dedicated to the martyrs of the 2010 revolution.
The Namazkhana on Ahunbaeva Street, a unique community prayer room established in a private home.

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In Tashkent, attention was given to historically and architecturally significant sites such as:

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Kukeldash Madrasah, with its surrounding mosque and park,
Moyyi Mubarak Mosque, and
Suzuk Ota Mosque, recently expanded into a large complex under the initiative of the current president.

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In Almaty, the research highlighted the concept of ethnic mosques, which serve as spiritual and cultural hubs for diverse communities, including Tatar, Turkish, Dungan, and Vainakh (Ingush) groups.

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These events not only deepened our understanding of socio-political and environmental dynamics in Central Asia, but also sparked meaningful conversations about culture, memory, and identity as reflected in urban religious spaces.

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The ICP Department extends its gratitude to our SOAS partners, speakers, and student researchers for making this day an enriching academic experience.

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