Securitization and Exclusion of Salafi Communities in Kazakhstan

Abstract

In this research, I analyze what is behind the exclusion of quietist Salafi communities in Kazakhstan. In particular, I deal with the gap in the literature that does not focus on the communities, where Salafis are from the same ethnic group as the majority of the population. The literature rather analyzes the effects of structural factors or their beliefs vis-à-vis their exclusion in the context of European countries, where they are mainly from Muslim migrant origin. I demonstrate how securitization affects Muslims in Kazakhstan. Specifically, through conducting participant observations and in-depth interviews I show the resonance of securitization discourses and perception of securitization practices among the general Muslim population of the country. I also demonstrate the relationship between securitization and governmentality concepts. I show how governmentality works in the creation of an idea of what constitutes a population and who are the outsiders. Building on the theory of safe communities and politics of identity I reveal how quietist Salafi communities come to hold on to their religious identities ever tightly as a response to structural limitation created by the securitization from the government. Securitization, which creates structural problems in the form of discrimination, security checks, and negative attitudes, pushes the quietist Salafi communities to develop safe communities, where they can freely practice the religion according to their religious canons, thus, shielding themselves from the outside negative treatment.