Title: For prophet and tsar : Islam and empire in Russia and Central Asia /
Authors: Crews, Robert D., 1970-
Publisher: Harvard University Press,
Year: 2006
Subjects: Islam and state Russia (Federation); Muslims Russia (Federation) Political activity.; Islam and state Asia, Central.; Muslims Asia, Central Political activity.; Muslims Political activity Russia (Federation); Muslims Political activity Asia, Central.; Russia (Federation) Politics and government.; Asia, Central Politics and government.
Abstract: "Russia occupies a unique position in the Muslim world. Unlike any other non-Islamic state, it has ruled Muslim populations for over five hundred years. Though Russia today is plagued by its unrelenting war in Chechnya, Russia's approach toward Islam once yielded stability. In stark contrast to the popular "clash of civilizations" theory that sees Islam inevitably in conflict with the West, Robert D. Crews reveals the remarkable ways in which Russia constructed an empire with broad Muslim support." "For Prophet and Tsar draws on police and court records, and Muslim petitions, denunciations, and clerical writings - not accessible prior to 1991 - to unearth the fascinating relationship between an empire and its subjects. As America and Western Europe debate how best to secure the allegiances of their Muslim populations, Crews offers a unique and critical historical vantage point."--Jacket.
Contents: A church for Islam -- The state in the mosque -- An imperial family -- Nomads into Muslims -- Civilizing Turkestan -- Heretics, citizens, and revolutionaries.