The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) and the Institute of Knowledge Integration (IKI) continue the IIIT lectures series for CIS countries, and on May 10, Dr. Ranetta GAFAROVA, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor, Translation Consultant of the Caucasus Universities Association (Turkey, Istanbul), lecturer at Ibrahim Chechen University of Agri (Turkey, Agri), delivered the lecture "Religiosity and Politics of the Crimean Tatars in the Context of Nonviolent Struggle for Civil Self-Preservation".

Dr. Gafarova suggests considering the following stages in the history of the Crimean Tatars:

– Emergence and development of the Crimean Khanate (1441-1783);
– Annexation of Crimea by Russia: The Rule of the Russian State (1783-1900)
– Growth of the national consciousness of the Crimean Tatars in the early 20th century: social and political transformations in the Crimean Tatar community (1990-1938);
– Deportation of the Crimean Tatars (1944);
– Rise of the Crimean Tatars national movement (1946-1993); Return to their homeland (from 1987 until now);
– 2014 to present: Second annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.

The lecturer gave interpretations of concepts "religiosity" and "political engagement". Dr. Gafarova also made an overview of different forms of non-violent struggle of the Crimean Tatars: official statements, communication with a wide audience, group performances, marches, public meetings, exclusion from the social system, non-cooperation with the government, psychological intervention.

In the second part of the lecture, participants could ask their questions and receive answers from the speaker about the struggle of the Crimean Tatars nowadays, their relations with the Muslim countries, changes in religiosity in various historical periods. The lecture was attended by participants from Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey.

The event was timed to the Remembrance Day for the Victims of the Crimean Tatar Genocide, which is commemorated in Ukraine annually on May 18.

The next lecture will be announced soon on the IIIT lectures series for CIS countries Facebook page.