Accessories to the burning of national flags and replacement of them with the fabrics with the Arabic inscription on them were detained in Kyrgyzstan. According to GKNB, they were young girls, who were members of the religious extremist organisation ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’. According to analysts, the activity of law enforcement bodies is very important, yet they cannot eradicate the root cause of the problem. Current decision requires long-term religious education, whose outcomes will be visible not instantaneously, yet will be more sustainable.
On the night of May 30, unknown persons burned the national flags of Kyrgyzstan hanging on the buildings of two schools named after B.Shamshiev and S.Atabekov, as well as on the building of aiyl okmotu [local administration] in Suzak district of Dzhalal-Abad region. Instead, they hoisted white flags with the Arabic inscription, whose content was not revealed yet.
According to GKNB’s message of June 5, the suspects were local female residents aged 16 and 19, detained during the operation conducted jointly with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to the State Committee, they were members of the women’s cell of ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’. Security services detained immediate family members of the suspects, who were aware of their burning plans. All the detained were charged with destruction of national symbols and participation in extremist activity.
While the law enforcement bodies carry out investigation, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan urged the people not to yield to provocation and to value freedom, including the freedom of religion.
“The freedom of our state, the freedom of our religion is a great gift from Allah. Mosques are built here, adhan is called, madrasahs operate, salah is prayed, we live freely in our religion. Let’s respect the religious values, national treasures and symbols of freedom – our red flag, and contribute to the unity of nation, peaceful life of our motherland,” the muftiate’s message said.
Moreover, the imams of Suzak district were ordered to raise public awareness about extremism and terrorism, and to tell about religious values, national treasures and symbols of the sovereignty.
However, according to religious scholar Elmurat Kochkor uulu, such urges and awareness-raising campaigns by the muftiate would hardly have the intended effect because the root causes of the flag burning are deep-seated and we should fight not only the manifestations, but also the origins of such actions.
“Why would a person want to lower the national flag and think that hoisting a white flag would ensure their religious completeness, bring many awards and ensure going to heaven? Where do such thoughts come from? Who implants such absurd and shallow ideas into their minds and for what purpose? This is what the work should start with. During awareness-raising, it is important to avoid thoughtless and illogical sermons that are free from sense, logic and education,” the expert said.
The state commission for religious affairs investigates the circumstances of the incident that took place in Suzak district, and has not provided its conclusion so far. Religious scholar Elmurat Kochkor uulu made a suggestion about the causes of actions of the accessories to flag burning. According to him, their action may have two basic messages: the need to turn the state administration system into a religious one and to establish the Khalifat.
“They think, ‘It’s only the religion-based state administration that will lead to justice.’ Another concept is related to the history of Islam. During the Khalifat, administration was based on religion, courts made decisions based on religious principles, the principles and priorities of administration were also based on religion. Everyone perceived that everything was fine during the Khalifat, and everyone was glad. However, the real history of Islam is not like this. Social problems, conflicts and crimes existed those days, as well. If we don’t provide correct and reliable information about the history of Islam, such actions as in Suzak will continue to happen,” Kochkor uulu said.
According to expert in security issues Edil Marlis uulu, the flag burning again exposed all problems of the religious policy and demonstrated that Kyrgyzstan was losing in the fight against extremism. He indicated the mistakes of authorities, which, according to him, flirt with religious organisations.
“It is impossible for only 5-6 people to organise this action. They are not just young people motivated by hooliganism, or influenced by alcohol or drugs. They were controllable and acted purposefully. It is a sign for our state and authorities showing that there are forces that can counter the state and possibly that there are certain reasons for them to do it. We will be monitoring closely how the law enforcement bodies will decipher and explain the situation. Extremism does not always manifest itself clearly and on a large scale. It can smoulder for a long time under the surface and getting ready for the moment when it comes out in various spots. The law enforcement bodies, security services seem to control it, but their control has been very weak recently,” the expert said.
According to Marlis uulu, Kyrgyzstan, both with last presidents and with the current government, flirts with religious organisations, various movements and foundations. Authorities let them in the country and let them affect young people with immature minds, who do not have deep religious knowledge.
“It happens because of some, so to say, preferences given to religious figures. Religion must not dominate secularism. Once a preference is given, new demands may arise. This is dangerous because a demand may appear in the future for the establishment of an Islamic state, unlike in Iran, Malaysia or Indonesia, but like in ISIS, where there would be no government. Particular world powers lead to such scenario and intend to turn our region into second Afghanistan and wreak havoc,” said Edil Marlis uulu, expert in security issues.
The law enforcement bodies must do their job, and this is important as well. However, according to experts, the only way to a long-term and sustainable outcome is education. As the world practice shows, arrests and criminal cases cannot overcome extremism.
“Too much pressure and the push on new concepts and movements increase the domestic pressure, which can lead to serious outbursts. Therefore, we must understand and explain that we can comply with our religion and Islamic principles perfectly while living under the Kyrgyz flag. And we can go to heaven living in Kyrgyzstan under the Kyrgyz laws and under the Kyrgyz flag. However, I am not saying that people act unconsciously. There are certainly separatist and seditious powers. But where do they act most actively? They thrive where there are many illiterate people, who are ready to follow anyone,” the religious scholar said.
He suggests that if Kyrgyzstan maintains the current religious policy and level of education, the country will face much more serious religious problems in less than 20 years.
The incidents with hanging flags with Arabic inscriptions on them have taken place not only in Kyrgyzstan, but also in all countries of Central Asia. Extremist attacks can happen at different times and have various forms, but the challenges are the same in the whole region. Countries should get together in their fight against extremism and the key weapon in this fight is education and awareness raising, according to experts.