Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT680
2009-06-02 11:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: THEOLOGICAL TRAINING REMAINS UNDER
how-toVZCZCXRO8281 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #0680 1531159 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 021159Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2893 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5248 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2984 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2849 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 3492 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3586
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000680
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: THEOLOGICAL TRAINING REMAINS UNDER
TIGHT STATE SUPERVISION
REF: ASHGABAT 322
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000680
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: THEOLOGICAL TRAINING REMAINS UNDER
TIGHT STATE SUPERVISION
REF: ASHGABAT 322
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Theological training in Turkmenistan takes
place at the State University in a department that is part of
the History Faculty. The theology professors were trained by
Turkish theologians during the post-Soviet era. The
admissions process is overseen by the Mufti, and the number
of students is determined by the anticipated need for
additional imams. According to two university
administrators, there is no need for an additional theology
institute and no plans to make the Theology Department a
separate faculty. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) On May 27, Political Officer met with Turkmen State
University Rector, Charyyar Tugiyev, and History Faculty
Dean, Annageldi Gubayev, to discuss theological training
provided at the university, the only institution to offer
such training. The rector explained that the university
offers studies in 26 specialties. The Theology Department is
part of the History Faculty. During the Soviet era, theology
studies were not offered in Turkmenistan. Students went to
either Tashkent or Saudi Arabia to study theology. None of
the imams trained during the Soviet era are currently
theology professors, and neither the rector nor the dean
could comment on the current locations or role of this older
generation of imams. After Turkmenistan's independence, a
theology faculty opened in 1995 staffed by professors from
Turkey. Six Turkmen theology students were sent to Turkey
for graduate studies following completion of their studies in
Turkmenistan. Upon their return in 2005, they became the
theology faculty and the Turkish professors departed.
Tugiyev explained that Turkmenistan and Turkey still maintain
contact in the area of theological studies through occasional
seminars held in both countries.
3. (SBU) There are currently 60 students studying theology,
following a five-year course of studies. The admissions
process is the following: announcements are published in
newspapers notifying potential students about the application
deadline. Applicants submit an application and take a
university admissions exam. This is followed by personal
interviews with the Mufti. About ten students are accepted
each year, based on the need for additional imams as
determined by the Mufti. Tugiyev explained that the
population is too small to justify the existence of any other
theology institutes. There are no plans to separate the
Theology Department from the History Faculty. Regarding the
curriculum for theology students, the rector said they study
subjects in addition to theology such as philosophy and
Turkmen history. Neither he nor the dean could give
specifics about the theology curriculum. Many of the
incoming theology students have studied Arabic and they have
intensive Arabic training during their first year at the
university.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: It was unfortunate that the meeting did
not include someone who actually teaches theology and is
familiar with the curriculum for theology students. While
the rector and dean were welcoming, they could offer scant
information about the theology program. Perhaps that was
their intention. Following his various comments, the rector
would frequently look to the MFA official in attendance, as
if to check whether he'd said the right thing. END COMMENT.
MILES
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: THEOLOGICAL TRAINING REMAINS UNDER
TIGHT STATE SUPERVISION
REF: ASHGABAT 322
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Theological training in Turkmenistan takes
place at the State University in a department that is part of
the History Faculty. The theology professors were trained by
Turkish theologians during the post-Soviet era. The
admissions process is overseen by the Mufti, and the number
of students is determined by the anticipated need for
additional imams. According to two university
administrators, there is no need for an additional theology
institute and no plans to make the Theology Department a
separate faculty. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) On May 27, Political Officer met with Turkmen State
University Rector, Charyyar Tugiyev, and History Faculty
Dean, Annageldi Gubayev, to discuss theological training
provided at the university, the only institution to offer
such training. The rector explained that the university
offers studies in 26 specialties. The Theology Department is
part of the History Faculty. During the Soviet era, theology
studies were not offered in Turkmenistan. Students went to
either Tashkent or Saudi Arabia to study theology. None of
the imams trained during the Soviet era are currently
theology professors, and neither the rector nor the dean
could comment on the current locations or role of this older
generation of imams. After Turkmenistan's independence, a
theology faculty opened in 1995 staffed by professors from
Turkey. Six Turkmen theology students were sent to Turkey
for graduate studies following completion of their studies in
Turkmenistan. Upon their return in 2005, they became the
theology faculty and the Turkish professors departed.
Tugiyev explained that Turkmenistan and Turkey still maintain
contact in the area of theological studies through occasional
seminars held in both countries.
3. (SBU) There are currently 60 students studying theology,
following a five-year course of studies. The admissions
process is the following: announcements are published in
newspapers notifying potential students about the application
deadline. Applicants submit an application and take a
university admissions exam. This is followed by personal
interviews with the Mufti. About ten students are accepted
each year, based on the need for additional imams as
determined by the Mufti. Tugiyev explained that the
population is too small to justify the existence of any other
theology institutes. There are no plans to separate the
Theology Department from the History Faculty. Regarding the
curriculum for theology students, the rector said they study
subjects in addition to theology such as philosophy and
Turkmen history. Neither he nor the dean could give
specifics about the theology curriculum. Many of the
incoming theology students have studied Arabic and they have
intensive Arabic training during their first year at the
university.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: It was unfortunate that the meeting did
not include someone who actually teaches theology and is
familiar with the curriculum for theology students. While
the rector and dean were welcoming, they could offer scant
information about the theology program. Perhaps that was
their intention. Following his various comments, the rector
would frequently look to the MFA official in attendance, as
if to check whether he'd said the right thing. END COMMENT.
MILES