Muslim Clergy’s Activities in the Volga-Ural Region in 1917

Abstract

The article is devoted to the role of Muslim religious leaders of the Volga- Ural region in the social movement of 1917. After the February Revolution of 1917, the participation of the clergy in the change of leadership of the Orenburg Mohammedan Spiritual Assembly (OMDS), as well as the creation of clergy societies, in the work of All- Russian Muslim and provincial Muslim congresses could be seen. The paper is intended to investigation of this phenomenon in a number of regions. It should be noted that the OMDS clergy for more than a century of its activity (1788–1917) set an example of civic loyalty and loyalty to the authorities of the Russian Empire. At the same time, especially starting from the revolution of 1905–7, it became concerned about the role of the OMDS in relations with the authorities and its own flock, issues of self-organization of the clergy, ways of organizing the system of Muslim religious education. Therefore, the presence of representatives of the Muslim clergy was noted not only at their own professional venues, but also at general civic events of Muslims. The paper deals with the role of religious leaders in the social movement of Muslims in the Volga- Ural region in 1917. and their contribution to it.