Contemporary Muslim Space in Moscow: North Caucasian Dhikr and Central Asian Religious Practices

Abstract

The article discusses two phenomena of the contemporary Muslim life in Moscow: the loud dhikr of the Kunta Hajji wird of the Qadiri tariqa, practiced by the Chechen and Ingush; and the religious practices of the “uninstitutionalized” Central Asian mullas. Both spiritual practices are popular and have great significance for a considerable proportion of Moscow Muslims, including those who do not directly participate in them. What these practices have in common is also found in their marginal nature with regard both to the institutionalized Moscow Islam and to the Salafi trend which has been gathering steam as of late. I attempt to identify the distinctive features of the contemporary Moscow Islam by addressing a number of questions such as: What niche do these practices occupy in the Islamic milieu of Moscow? What part do they play in the life of migrants? In what ways do these practices turn to be instrumental in the construction, production, and reproduction of identities?