On the basis of the state policy of the Russian Empire towards the Muslim population
According to the policy of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers P.A. Stolypin [2], the activities of the Government of the Russian Empire were not aimed at either restricting religious freedom or restricting the national identity of Muslims, since they did not violate the interests of the state and the rights of persons who did not belong to Muslim nationalities. On the contrary, the direct purpose of religious policy was to counter the destructive anti-state activity of fanatical elements and to involve the entire population, regardless of religion and nationality, in the general state and cultural life of the country.
In accordance with the above judgments, the Government directed its work towards streamlining the state-legal status of Muslims and strengthening government control over their public activity.
Stolypin was of the opinion that the activities of state structures should not be missionary in nature. He drew attention to the qualitative and quantitative improvements in the activities of spiritual and educational institutions, both primary and teacher, and outlined for them a number of activities aimed at bringing them closer to the Muslim population so that these educational institutions would contribute to the fuller satisfaction of the spiritual needs of Muslims .
The government sought a final separation of confessional and general education in Muslim schools. Confessional education was directly under the jurisdiction of the relevant spiritual authorities under the supervision of the state. General education, including the upbringing of youth, affecting the fundamental interests of the state, was one of its most important and inalienable assets.
The state recognized the need to completely remove general subjects from the programs of confessional Muslim schools with the abolition of the Russian language classes and, leaving these schools under the direct authority of the Muslim clergy, bring the Muslim schools with general subjects into line with all the general rules for other schools of this type. In order to ensure the effective implementation of this provision, the Government has paid special attention to the organization of effective state supervision over the Muslim educational institutions of both of these types.
The government also took measures to ensure widespread awareness of the affairs of Muslims, which, according to Stolypin, was achievable by practical study and solution of their problems locally and on a systematic basis, comprehensive coverage of these problems in the press and periodic exchange of observations and opinions between local and central government organs. The most expedient measures in this regard were deemed to strengthen the existing scientific means of studying the Russian Muslim East by expanding the activities of the relevant faculties of St. Petersburg and Kazan universities and establishing periodic inter-departmental meetings of government bodies both in the localities and in the capital. No less important, Stolypin believed the transformation of the existing device for the management of Muslim affairs in Russia.
As can be seen from the above, the Government of the Russian Empire could not and had no right to allow the masses of the population under the leadership of anti-state-minded people to be brought up in a direction that would inevitably lead them to complete cultural alienation from the fundamental state principles, to search for any ideals beyond their state and to trample on the idea of its integrity.
Notes:
[1] Based on “Notes by P.A. Stolypin on the “Muslim Question” of 1911 ”(Oriens). 2003, No. 2, p. 126 – 142).
[2] Stolypin, Peter Arkadyevich (1862 – 1911) - Russian statesman. He graduated from St. Petersburg University. From 1884, he served in the Ministry of the Interior. From 1906, Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the Council of Ministers. Killed by the Social Revolutionaries after the start of the agrarian reform.
In accordance with the above judgments, the Government directed its work towards streamlining the state-legal status of Muslims and strengthening government control over their public activity.
Stolypin was of the opinion that the activities of state structures should not be missionary in nature. He drew attention to the qualitative and quantitative improvements in the activities of spiritual and educational institutions, both primary and teacher, and outlined for them a number of activities aimed at bringing them closer to the Muslim population so that these educational institutions would contribute to the fuller satisfaction of the spiritual needs of Muslims .
The government sought a final separation of confessional and general education in Muslim schools. Confessional education was directly under the jurisdiction of the relevant spiritual authorities under the supervision of the state. General education, including the upbringing of youth, affecting the fundamental interests of the state, was one of its most important and inalienable assets.
The state recognized the need to completely remove general subjects from the programs of confessional Muslim schools with the abolition of the Russian language classes and, leaving these schools under the direct authority of the Muslim clergy, bring the Muslim schools with general subjects into line with all the general rules for other schools of this type. In order to ensure the effective implementation of this provision, the Government has paid special attention to the organization of effective state supervision over the Muslim educational institutions of both of these types.
The government also took measures to ensure widespread awareness of the affairs of Muslims, which, according to Stolypin, was achievable by practical study and solution of their problems locally and on a systematic basis, comprehensive coverage of these problems in the press and periodic exchange of observations and opinions between local and central government organs. The most expedient measures in this regard were deemed to strengthen the existing scientific means of studying the Russian Muslim East by expanding the activities of the relevant faculties of St. Petersburg and Kazan universities and establishing periodic inter-departmental meetings of government bodies both in the localities and in the capital. No less important, Stolypin believed the transformation of the existing device for the management of Muslim affairs in Russia.
As can be seen from the above, the Government of the Russian Empire could not and had no right to allow the masses of the population under the leadership of anti-state-minded people to be brought up in a direction that would inevitably lead them to complete cultural alienation from the fundamental state principles, to search for any ideals beyond their state and to trample on the idea of its integrity.
Notes:
[1] Based on “Notes by P.A. Stolypin on the “Muslim Question” of 1911 ”(Oriens). 2003, No. 2, p. 126 – 142).
[2] Stolypin, Peter Arkadyevich (1862 – 1911) - Russian statesman. He graduated from St. Petersburg University. From 1884, he served in the Ministry of the Interior. From 1906, Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the Council of Ministers. Killed by the Social Revolutionaries after the start of the agrarian reform.
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