

The Bulan Institute is publishing this report which contains research on curricula and
conditions at the Islamic religious educational institutions in Kyrgyzstan, with a special focus
on madrasah. In the Republic, there are nine Islamic Institutions and one Islamic university
registered at the State Commission on Religious Affairs. Also, there are 102 registered
madrasah, with only 78 from them currently functioning. Regarding madrasah, this report
attempts to address the following problems: non-compliance with the unified curriculum
approved by the Council of Ulema of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims (the Muftiate), the
absence of secular subjects in the curriculum, the lack of stable financial sources, poor
conditions for education, and the shortage of qualified teaching staff.
The Bulan Institute conducted interviews with more than fifty specialists, including madrasah
leaders, ex-ministers, theologians, teachers, employees of the State Commission on Religious
Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Science, employees of the Spiritual Board of Muslims
of Kyrgyzstan, as well as independent experts. During the collection of information and the
preparation of this report, 12 journalists and three specialists who knew the industry, actively
contributed to this report. The report was prepared directly by three Institute staff and two
consultants.
The full version of the report in English is here: Religious Education and Madrasah System in Kyrgyzstan