The Islamic factor in the Republic of Mordovia: social, cultural and ethnopolitical aspects of the development

Islam began to spread at the territory of Mordovia in the XIV XVI centuries. During the Soviet period Tatars (Muslims) of Mordovia were subjected to the atheistic persecutions. The revival of the Muslim community (al Ummah) of the Republic of Mordovia took place in 1990s - early 2000s. At present there are three Muftiats in Mordovia, various courses of Islamic education, and many mosques. Muslim charity is developing. The pilgrimage of Mordovian Muslims to Mecca (hajj) was organized. However, during that period some Salafi (Wahhabi) groups made attempts to carry on their activity in Mordovia. On the whole, in Mordovia Islam has strong potential, cultural and organizational, for further development.