cabar.asia
Kyrgyzstan:
Children Deprived of Education
Because of Parents' Religious Beliefs
Children Deprived of Education
Because of Parents' Religious Beliefs
In 2022, the ministry of education detected over a hundred children who do not attend school because of religious beliefs of their parents. But even the agency admits that the figure could be much higher in fact.
Nazira Ismailova (not her real name) was raised in a religious family. According to the woman, her parents performed salah, and her two brothers and she have followed suit.
She said that her father has never banned his children from studying and developing. Rather, he has encouraged them. Thus, the Kyrgyzstani has always had A's at school, enrolled to the university easily, acquired computer skills, and managed to be employed as a secretary at a Bishkek.-based company.
One of Nazira's friends has introduced her to her now ex-husband. The man has also been raised in the religious family. After a while, the young people got married and they had a daughter.
"Once he came home and said he was going to davaat," the woman said. "He didn't say where he would go and for how long. So, he hadn't been home for over a month."
Nazira said that after her spouse came back, his behaviour suddenly changed. He started forbidding the family to watch TV and use phones. Moreover, he was against his wife's job. Nazira did not understand why her husband became such a person, but she obeyed him and quit her job. However, it was just the beginning of troubles. After Nazira left her job, the income of her family decreased and sometimes her husband's earnings were not enough to buy food.
She said that her father has never banned his children from studying and developing. Rather, he has encouraged them. Thus, the Kyrgyzstani has always had A's at school, enrolled to the university easily, acquired computer skills, and managed to be employed as a secretary at a Bishkek.-based company.
One of Nazira's friends has introduced her to her now ex-husband. The man has also been raised in the religious family. After a while, the young people got married and they had a daughter.
"Once he came home and said he was going to davaat," the woman said. "He didn't say where he would go and for how long. So, he hadn't been home for over a month."
Nazira said that after her spouse came back, his behaviour suddenly changed. He started forbidding the family to watch TV and use phones. Moreover, he was against his wife's job. Nazira did not understand why her husband became such a person, but she obeyed him and quit her job. However, it was just the beginning of troubles. After Nazira left her job, the income of her family decreased and sometimes her husband's earnings were not enough to buy food.
"However, it didn't bother him at all. Moreover, when our daughter got ill, she did not let us to go to the hospital and told me to treat her at home," Nazira said. "When I tried to protest, he would start a scandal. Our relationship deteriorated rapidly."
The last straw was that the husband started to ban our daughter from attending school. He said that his daughter would "get spoiled" at school.
"Back then, our daughter was the third grader. Because of our constant quarrels, she had to skip classes sometimes," the woman said. "I knew it couldn't last long, we shouldn't live in constant quarrels. So, I tried to talk to my husband and to reach a compromise, but he was firm."
And then Nazira started asking for a divorce. However, the man became even angrier and accused her of infidelity. After all, Nazira left her husband. After they broke up, she learned from her acquaintances that the man joined the movement "Yakin inkar" (the organisation was recognised as extremist and is proscribed in Kyrgyzstan – Editorial office), which is why his views on life have changed radically.
"I didn't want to learn the details," Nazira said. "I cut off all contact with him and I don't know where he is now and what he is doing. I want to have my daughter get good education."
"I didn't want to learn the details," Nazira said. "I cut off all contact with him and I don't know where he is now and what he is doing. I want to have my daughter get good education."
According to the National Institute for Strategic Studies, the religious movement "Yakin inkar" was established in India in 1926. The organisation appeared in Kyrgyzstan later, together with "Tablighi jamaat", but then separated from it. Followers of the movement did not recognise the benefits of technological progress and called the Muslims to live just like in the days of Prophet Muhammad.
Until 2017, the organisation performed its operations in Kyrgyzstan freely, but on June 15, 2017, the Oktyabrsky District Court of Bishkek recognised it as extremist and proscribed its operations. The grounds were denial of education, medical treatment and other ideas contradicting the laws of Kyrgyzstan.
In the interview to CABAR.asia, Manas Amanbaev, representative of the interior ministry's service for countering extremism and illegal migration, said that explanatory works have been conducted among participants of the movement "Yakin inkar" many times.
Until 2017, the organisation performed its operations in Kyrgyzstan freely, but on June 15, 2017, the Oktyabrsky District Court of Bishkek recognised it as extremist and proscribed its operations. The grounds were denial of education, medical treatment and other ideas contradicting the laws of Kyrgyzstan.
In the interview to CABAR.asia, Manas Amanbaev, representative of the interior ministry's service for countering extremism and illegal migration, said that explanatory works have been conducted among participants of the movement "Yakin inkar" many times.
"They said that their decision to ban their daughters from school was based on the fact that there were no such things in the times of Prophet Muhammad," said Amanbaev. "They said that no one taught girls at that moment, there were no schools back then, there were only madrasahs or home schooling. Therefore, they say "we also should live like that."
In 2018, social workers of Issyk-Kul region identified a family, where parents, being representatives of the proscribed movement "Yakin inkar", had banned their daughters, 12 and 7 years old, from going to school for five years. The girls were banned from communicating with other people, read books other than religious ones, use communication technologies and seek help in medical institutions.
Afterwards, the court sentenced the parents to two years in prison.
A similar case happened in 2020 in Dzhalal-Abad region, where parents refused to have their 10-year-old son go to school.
Amanbaev also referred to two cases that took place in Kyrgyzstan. In Talas region, a spouse of one of the movement followers became ill. But they did not seek medical help and the woman died because of the liver failure. The second case, according to Amanbaev, took place in Dzhalal-Abad region. One of the movement followers did not let the male doctor to examine his pregnant wife in the hospital. As a result, the woman died of bleeding and the doctor was prosecuted.
Afterwards, the court sentenced the parents to two years in prison.
A similar case happened in 2020 in Dzhalal-Abad region, where parents refused to have their 10-year-old son go to school.
Amanbaev also referred to two cases that took place in Kyrgyzstan. In Talas region, a spouse of one of the movement followers became ill. But they did not seek medical help and the woman died because of the liver failure. The second case, according to Amanbaev, took place in Dzhalal-Abad region. One of the movement followers did not let the male doctor to examine his pregnant wife in the hospital. As a result, the woman died of bleeding and the doctor was prosecuted.
"Afterwards, I often asked them, "If you don't let your daughters attend school, where would female doctors, teachers and others come from? Who would treat your wives? Who would teach your granddaughters?" And that's when some realised that they do and think wrong," Amanbaev said.
However, according to the specialist, despite the fact that many followers of the movement were prosecuted, sent to prison, and have already been released from prison, they still remain loyal to their views and do not let their children attend school.
"Police officers can hardly identify such facts because the law prevents them from entering or invading private homes," Amanbaev said. "But we always tell them there is the law on education in the country and they must obey the laws of the republic."
"Police officers can hardly identify such facts because the law prevents them from entering or invading private homes," Amanbaev said. "But we always tell them there is the law on education in the country and they must obey the laws of the republic."
According to the ministry of education, 116 children were identified in Kyrgyzstan in 2022, who did not attend school on religious grounds. However, according to Gulshan Abdyldaeva, chief specialist of the school policy and book publishing office, this statistics covers not only the followers of the movement "Yakin inkar".
"We do not divide the statistics into religious movements," the specialist said. "Moreover, it is based only on identified, official facts. We don't know how many children don't attend schools because of their parents' religious views."
Door-to-door examination help detect children who do not attend classes. According to Abdyldaeva, social workers, educational staff, officers of interior affairs agencies and prosecutor's office visit houses on the basis of the order of local governments.
"All revealed facts are examined by commissions for children and submitted to the law enforcement bodies," Abdyldaeva said. "Besides, they follow up with parents and carry out other preventive activities. If adults keep pushing back and refuse to let their children attend school, other more serious measures will be taken, including termination of parental rights."
"We do not divide the statistics into religious movements," the specialist said. "Moreover, it is based only on identified, official facts. We don't know how many children don't attend schools because of their parents' religious views."
Door-to-door examination help detect children who do not attend classes. According to Abdyldaeva, social workers, educational staff, officers of interior affairs agencies and prosecutor's office visit houses on the basis of the order of local governments.
"All revealed facts are examined by commissions for children and submitted to the law enforcement bodies," Abdyldaeva said. "Besides, they follow up with parents and carry out other preventive activities. If adults keep pushing back and refuse to let their children attend school, other more serious measures will be taken, including termination of parental rights."
"A headache for the state"
According to the State Commission for Religious Affairs, they do not encourage parents who deprive children of their right to education. According to Zamir Kozhomberdiev, deputy chief of the agency, the State Commission always carries out explanatory work with the population within its competence.
"We always emphasise that the constitution of Kyrgyzstan gives the freedom of religion to every national," the expert said. "And we also tell them that the country has laws, which regulate the religious activity. And every time we emphasise the need to get education and carry out preventive activities together with agencies concerned."
Thus, according to Kozhomberdiev, the conference was organised in autumn of 2022 with participation of representatives of the State Commission for Religious Affairs, muftiate, ulema council, and followers of the movement "Yakin inkar" were also invited.
"At the meeting, members of the movement were explained the details of the ideology and intricacies of Islam. They were explained in detail why their ideas were wrong. But, in my opinion, they listened to all what was said but did not accept it. So, this is the problem," the expert said.
Kozhomberdiev emphasised that despite the difficulties, the agency does not ignore the issue. According to him, they plan to keep organising such meetings for discussions, and to visit the regions and hold preventive activities on the spot.
Abdumanap Masaliev, toraga (chair – Editorial office) of the Ulema Council, said to CABAR.asia that followers of "Yakin inkar" have been repeatedly called for meetings, but they are reluctant to contact us.
"We and the muftiate have repeatedly addressed them and said that we would come to their place," Masaliev said. "We have told them about education, scientific facts, but they claim the opposite. Therefore, it is very difficult to have a dialogue with them. They are a real headache both for us and for the state as a whole."
In turn, Samidin kary Atabaev, deputy mufti, said that explanatory work is being carried out regularly. According to him, the agency always reminds that it is forbidden to refuse from education and medicine, that davaat may be visited only with the muftiate's consent, that one should not follow the other for no reason.
"It's only by continuing to do this work that we can prevent the emergence of similar movements," Atabaev said.
"At the meeting, members of the movement were explained the details of the ideology and intricacies of Islam. They were explained in detail why their ideas were wrong. But, in my opinion, they listened to all what was said but did not accept it. So, this is the problem," the expert said.
Kozhomberdiev emphasised that despite the difficulties, the agency does not ignore the issue. According to him, they plan to keep organising such meetings for discussions, and to visit the regions and hold preventive activities on the spot.
Abdumanap Masaliev, toraga (chair – Editorial office) of the Ulema Council, said to CABAR.asia that followers of "Yakin inkar" have been repeatedly called for meetings, but they are reluctant to contact us.
"We and the muftiate have repeatedly addressed them and said that we would come to their place," Masaliev said. "We have told them about education, scientific facts, but they claim the opposite. Therefore, it is very difficult to have a dialogue with them. They are a real headache both for us and for the state as a whole."
In turn, Samidin kary Atabaev, deputy mufti, said that explanatory work is being carried out regularly. According to him, the agency always reminds that it is forbidden to refuse from education and medicine, that davaat may be visited only with the muftiate's consent, that one should not follow the other for no reason.
"It's only by continuing to do this work that we can prevent the emergence of similar movements," Atabaev said.
No studies
Kadyr Malikov, director of the think-tank "Religion, Law, Policy", also said that field studies on this subject have not been carried out because there is shortage of money, or no interest in deeper analysis.
"So, we cannot say about the complicated situation because we don't have any proof," the theologian said. "The process is not monitored. There are isolated cases, but it is impossible to find out the exact number of cases across the country."
According to Malikov, the expert community has many different opinions and theories about the "Yakin inkar", but they are not backed by anything. It is also unknown what changes take place in the ideology of the movement, what social base they have, whether they are supported by the people, how fast it spreads, and so on.
"In other words, so many questions remain unanswered," the theologian said.
Moreover, according to the expert, preventive activities declared by the state bodies are being held at the undesired level. In his opinion, this is one of the reasons why the movement "Yakin inkar" was left to its own devices despite the proscription.
"So, we cannot say about the complicated situation because we don't have any proof," the theologian said. "The process is not monitored. There are isolated cases, but it is impossible to find out the exact number of cases across the country."
According to Malikov, the expert community has many different opinions and theories about the "Yakin inkar", but they are not backed by anything. It is also unknown what changes take place in the ideology of the movement, what social base they have, whether they are supported by the people, how fast it spreads, and so on.
"In other words, so many questions remain unanswered," the theologian said.
Moreover, according to the expert, preventive activities declared by the state bodies are being held at the undesired level. In his opinion, this is one of the reasons why the movement "Yakin inkar" was left to its own devices despite the proscription.
"To prevent facts of skipping school, awareness of imams should be raised, they should know their congregation in person, keep count of them, track them," the theologian said. "Besides, they might have to modernise the awareness-raising tools. It's a hard work and it requires patience and consistency. And we miss out on consistency so much."
Kadyr Malikov
Photo: Facebook
According to Malikov, ban on activities won't solve the issue. It can lead to the fact that prisons can turn into the so-called schools of training of more radical persons.
"Therefore, we should tackle this issue very carefully, in an integrated manner, conduct some study," the theologian said. "This work is quite possible if done jointly with the state."
The study in Kyrgyzstan is expected to be carried out in 2023. According to ombudswoman Atyr Abdrakhmatova, the competent authorities, including the Office of Akyikatchy, have agreed to jointly study the subject related to the movement "Yakin inkar."
"Therefore, we should tackle this issue very carefully, in an integrated manner, conduct some study," the theologian said. "This work is quite possible if done jointly with the state."
The study in Kyrgyzstan is expected to be carried out in 2023. According to ombudswoman Atyr Abdrakhmatova, the competent authorities, including the Office of Akyikatchy, have agreed to jointly study the subject related to the movement "Yakin inkar."
"There have been complaints from law enforcement bodies about children of the movement followers who don't attend school. Lawyers of the detainees have also addressed us regarding violation of their rights," Abdrakhmatova said to CABAR.asia. "But the preliminary analysis has shown that the situation should be analysed deeper and only then we should think what to do next."
Atyr Abdrakhmatova
Photo: Facebook
The ombudswoman said that the subject of the movement "Yakin inkar" is very sensitive and requires a competent opinion, which is possible only after a thorough study.
