Integration Strategies for Islamic Education into the Educational Systems of Ukraine and Russia: Comparative Analysis

Today many states are facing the problem of integration of religious minorities which more loudly declare their rights and their identity. Mostly in all European countries, including Ukraine and Russia, the minorities are rep- resented by Muslims. Obviously, the most effective initiatives for integration are those which include the educational system. In the cases of religious minorities, religious education plays highly important role. Not accidentally that in most European countries today there are state programs connected with Islamic education. One of the latest were Ukraine and Russia, who started to develop the sphere as well, mostly because of Atheistic past. In current time both countries are highly involved in the problematic of religious education, especially Islamic. In my research I will analyze the strategies, aimed at organizing and integrating the system of high Islamic education into the general educational space in two post-soviet countries – Russia and Ukraine. I will demonstrate how those strategies are working, and what are the difficulties encountered by Islamic educational institutions on this path. I will analyze the differences in the approach to integration in both states. I will demonstrate that Ukraine went by the path of recognizing religious diplomas and academic degrees by government (including Islamic ones). Russia chose another way of integration – through recognition by the state theology as academic discipline and its involvement in secular educational institutions. Unlike in Ukraine, where government distances itself from the support of Muslims communities, Russia has governmental program of support for Islamic education and science.