• Related Pages • Kyrgyzstan: Islam • Kyrgyzstan: State Islam • Kyrgyzstan: Tribes • Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic Groups • Religious Freedom Report

• Islam FAQ • What is Islam? • Who was Muhammad? • Muslim Scriptures • Muslim Beliefs • Islam & Jihad • Sects of Islam • Extremists in Islam • Islamic Countries • Glossary of Islam

The vast majority of today's Kyrgyz are Muslims of the Sunni (see Glossary) branch, but Islam came late and fairly superficially to the area. Kyrgyz Muslims generally practice their religion in a specific way influenced by earlier tribal customs. The practice of Islam also differs in the northern and southern regions of the country. Kyrgyzstan remained a secular state after the fall of communism, which had only superficial influence on religious practice when Kyrgyzstan was a Soviet republic. Most of the Russian population of Kyrgyzstan is atheist or Russian Orthodox. The Uzbeks, who make up 12.9 percent of the population, are generally Sunni Muslims.

Data as of 1996; Source:Library of Congress Country Studies

Discuss in my forum