ISLAM IN THE HISTORY OF RUSSIA: CONFRONTATION VS. COOPERATION

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the key stages in the development of relations between Russia and Islam and to give a concise analysis of their political and cultural consequences. The article is divided into two parts. The first part outlines the history of Islam in Russia. The second part deals with the Soviet Union’s stance on the Islamic faith. We can state that Islam in Russia has deep historical and cultural roots. The very fact that this religion has survived through the centuries of confrontation and cooperation proves how unique the relations between Russia and the Muslim world are. The history of Islam in Russia offers lessons to be learned as the religion as such poses great challenges to this multi-religious and multi-ethnic country.