Uzbekistan initiates new methods to fight extremism

TASHKENT -- Uzbekistan's government established a specialised counterterrorism centre under the Internal Affairs Main Directorate (GUVD) of Tashkent City last month to counter the spread of religious extremist and terrorist ideas.

Along with law enforcement officials, the centre will have experts on religion, oriental studies, psychologists and sociologists with experience in counterterrorism.

The main task of the centre is to understand what motivates people to join terrorist organisations and "develop effective measures to counter them", said Rasul Khakimov, who works at the centre.

The centre works with individuals, who are on a special list maintained by counterterrorism and banditry departments of internal affairs agencies' district divisions, as well as those who have served time for involvement in terrorist organisations, GUVD official Abdusalom Mukhiddinov told Caravanserai.

"Their opinions about why terrorist organisations' ideas spread among youth are particularly valuable, since these people understood and recognised why and how they were drawn into terrorist organisations," Mukhiddinov said.

Experts believe new methods will bring better results

Before, individuals convicted of terrorism or involvement in terrorism, were thoroughly questioned about the tools and processes used to recruit them, and their connections, Mukhiddinov said.

But the centre chose a different approach - it studies these people's opinions about potential and existing means to counter terrorism, and what causes adherents of traditional Islam to abandon their beliefs in favor of extremist religion, he said.

When talking with radicals, experts try to understand how well the registered extremists and terrorists know the Koran and its interpretations, sharia terminology, the hadiths, and the biography of the Prophet Muhammad, Mukhiddinov said.

According to him, one of the centre's most important missions is drafting recommendations to improve laws governing religion. They ask the individuals they interview for their opinions on Uzbekistan's Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations Law, and any changes or amendments they feel are necessary, he said.

Experts take notes on the conversation and enter respondents' answers into a database for further analysis, Mukhiddinov added.

Political analyst Linara Yuldasheva believes that the GUVD counterterrorism centre is an important part in countering extremism, and in improving counterterrorism methods and tools.

'Friendly conversation' helps to learn more

Four years ago, Khushnur Saipov finished a sentence for his involvement with a terrorist organisation. Since then, he has been registered with the counterterrorism department at the Tashkent City Internal Affairs District Branch.

"They [the centre staff] ask about everything - do I have work, what's my financial situation, and what irritates and displeases me about how mahallas and government agencies work - and they ask me to list their shortcomings," Saipov said.

"The first time I spoke with a police officer who knew the Koran very well. I was pleased that he understood my questions and doubts," said Khadicha Zh. of Tashkent, whose Uzbekistani husband was convicted for his affiliation with a terrorism organisation.

Abdulvakhid Ismailov, a native of Tashkent Province, was offered amnesty and walked free several months ago. He was serving a sentence for involvement in a terrorist organisation.

"Opening a centre where people can speak their minds and share their pressing concerns was the right thing to do. There are young Muslims today who poorly understand the true meaning of terms like 'jihad' and 'hegira'," Ismailov, who in his own words joined an extremist organisation due to his ignorance of the Koran, told Caravanserai.

Education will save youth from radical views, specialists say

"Without an education or opportunities to pursue one, youth are pushed to search for other means to obtain information and education," Yuldasheva said. "The internet, which is overflowing with Islamic sites, offers many opportunities 'to work as a jihadist'. The problem is that the bulk of these sites promote radical ideas in an accessible and straightforward format."

Religious historian Eler Karimov believes that radicals offer youth a surrogate Islam, which, in contrast to official Islam, is an alleged 'true' form which consists of simple and intelligible rules.

"Social media is a favorable environment for youth recruitment. There are no prohibitions - it's an open environment to exchange ideas. Vibrant discussions about religion attract much more inquisitive youth than official lectures at universities," he said.

According to Professor Sadiakbar Agzamkhojayev of Tashkent Islamic University, in recent years the state has been making tremendous efforts to resolve religious education issues, provide Muslims with religious literature, and rebuild and improve traditional Islamic pilgrimage sites.

Gulnoz Khanazarova, who runs a travel agency in Bukhara, said over the past four years domestic tourism has increased, with historic religious sites drawing particular interest.

"People have started to become interested in Islamic history and the life of Islamic saints," Khanazarova told Caravanserai.