Muslim Clergy of the Kabardino-Balkarian ASSR of the 40–80s of the 20th Century

Abstract

The article examines the role and place, the peculiarities of functioning of one of the most specifi c groups of the Soviet society of the clergy. A brief digression is given concerning the policy of the Soviet government in relation to the Muslim clergy of the subregion. It is emphasized that this group in the fi rst Soviet decades went through a diffi cult path from a strategic partner of the young Soviet government, which made a signifi cant contribution to its victory in the subregion under consideration, to a principled opponent subjected to repression. It is noted that during the Great Patriotic War, despite the fundamental changes in the sphere of state- confessional relations, there was a break in the continuity of generations of ministers of worship in the republic, as a result of which a personnel vacuum was formed. It is associated with the specifi cs of the religious policy of the occupation authorities. The sources of recruitment of the Muslim clergy of the period of the 40–80s of the 20th century, their origin, educational level, role and place in the society of the subregion are analyzed. The statements and conclusions put forward are supported by archival documents. In conclusion, it is concluded that, despite the low level of preparedness and narrowed functionality, the Muslim clergy of Kabardino- Balkaria of the historical period under consideration fulfi lled the role of the guardian of religious knowledge and traditions. Thus, it played an important role in maintaining household religiosity, the level of which in these years continued to remain quite high.