Editor’s note: With an average age of 24, Tajikistan is one of the world’s youngest countries. But this may be a curse rather than a blessing, argues neweurasia’s TajikVoice in the second post of a series exploring youth culture in Tajikistan, this time, the return to religion: “Religion today has replaced the Communist Youth [but] the key thing is to have a charismatic leader: a Communist Youth Organizer or a mullah.” [Translation of TajikVoice’s post (RUS). Read the first part here.]

There remain those for whom life still has something to offer, and that’s religion. I expect a blow to come from here. Tajikistan has suddenly become a mass of young men in white skullcaps and white robes, carrying prayer mats, and girls, covered up until there’s nothing left to see.

A large section of young people is sincerely devoted to worshiping Allah and spends time in mosques listening to sermons. What they say in these sermons – God only knows. This is real power. I’m sure whatever they tell these guys in the mosque, they will go ahead and do.

Religion today has replaced the Communist Youth. Throughout history, governments have made use of organized movements with rigid principles to control the most powerful force in society – the youth. Thirty years ago, this was the Communist Youth. Now it’s religion. Maximalism, which is so common among young people, makes them extremely ideological – and ideological people are oh so easy to manipulate.

The key thing is to have a charismatic leader: a Communist Youth Organizer or a mullah. This is why young Tajiks glare so rabidly at anyone not keeping the fast during Ramadan, loudly discuss those not attending mosque and force their religion on other people, completely blind to the existence of other confessions.

We Couldn’t Care Less

Of course there is a small percentage of young people in Tajikistan who aren’t indifferent towards their future and are able to think and make decisions for themselves. But they are just waiting for their diplomas and the opportunity to leave Tajikistan forever in search of freedom and happiness.

This is the difficult situation in which the country’s young people find themselves, but even more difficult is the future that awaits a country without youth.

(c) photos by the author