Islamic Studies in Higher Education Institutions in Russia

Abstract

Objective The research aimed to 1) To study the status of Islamic education in higher education institutions in Russia; 2) To study characteristics and directions of Islamic studies curriculums in higher education institutions in Russia.

Methodology The research methods consisted of 1) Surveying of the Islamic Organization in Russia; 2) Surveying the Islamic education in higher education institutions; and 3) Surveying the characteristics and directions of Islamic studies curriculums in higher education institutions in Russia.

Research Findings The findings found that the Russian government has issued a decree establishing the central Islamic organization since 1788. Currently, there are two central Islamic organizations: 1) Central Muslim Spiritual Board of Russia (CMSB Russia) based in Ufa and 2) Russia Mufties Council based in Moscow, it is supported by the Fund for the Promotion of Islamic Culture, Science and Education of the President of the Russian Federation and support of a Islamic studies for Human Recourses Development and Identities Preservation of the main city and the secondary city to be consistent with the context and environment. At the same time, it was found that the characteristics and directions of the Islamic Studies curriculums in Russia have various fields, such as Eastern and African Studies, religious studies, linguistics, Journalism, history and art history.

Contributions The status of Islamic education in higher education institutions in both Thailand and Russian Federation is at the same level. This is a guideline that higher education institutions in Thai can be applied in organizing Islamic studies in accordance with the Thai social context and developing towards excellence in Islamic studies.