This report was prepared by the Bulan Institute for Peace Innovations (hereinafter – the Bulan Institute) in cooperation with the State Commission for Religious Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic. The main purpose of the report is to analyze in which countries citizens of Kyrgyzstan receive their religious educations, the form and quality of their Islamic religious educational institutions, as well as to analyze current trends in receiving education abroad by Kyrgyz citizens. In Kyrgyzstan there has been a noticeable increase of interest in religious education in general, and in foreign taught classes in particular.[1]

Every citizen of Kyrgyzstan is guaranteed freedom of religion[2], the right to education regardless of gender, nationality, language, social and property status, health, the type and nature of occupation, religion, political and religious beliefs, residence and other circumstances[3]. Article 6 of the Law on “Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations”, adopted in 1991, the same time independence was proclaimed, guarantees access to various types and levels of education to individuals regardless of their attitude toward religion.[4] Therefore, in addition to the protection of these rights, one of the main tasks of the Commission for Religious Affairs and the Bulan Institute is contributing to the assurance that citizens receive both quality religious education as well as the promotion of conditions amenable to a healthy education sector.

With the arrival of independence, Kyrgyzstan has witnessed a rise of interest in religion, quickly filling up the religious and spiritual vacuum that was formed throughout many years of restrictions by the Soviet Union. One of the most visible indicators of this process is the extraordinary speed of mosque construction and the ubiquitous opening of madrasas. For example, leading up to sovereignty in 1990, there were only 39 mosques in Kyrgyzstan. Today, together with namazkana (prayer rooms), this figure has increased over a hundredfold. Currently 112 Islamic religious educational institutions operate in Kyrgyzstan. Understandably, with the growth of mosques and madrasas requirements and expectations towards the qualifications of religious workers has also increased. As a result, expanding interest in the Qur’an and the Arabic language grew into a need for increased access to religious education. Citizens have, in turn, started actively leaving the country in the pursuit of religious education abroad.

[1] “The Concept of the state policy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the religious sphere for 2014-2020”, approved on 14.11.2014 by the decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic,

Available: http://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/act/view/ru-ru/68294

[2] The Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic from 28.12.2016.

[3] Article 3 of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Education”, from 30.04.2003.

[4] Article 6.1 of the Law “On Freedom of Religion and Religious Organizations in the Kyrgyz Republic”, as amended 31.12.2008

The full version of the report is here: Report_Religious Education Abroad