HISTORY
AARMS
Vol. 8, No. 2 (2009) 315–327
Conflicts of Christian and Islamic culture zone
in the Caucasus region
ÁRPÁD GERENCSÉR
Miklós Zrínyi National Defence University, Budapest, Hungary
The Caucasus is one of the regions of the world nowadays, where many conflicts are
erupted because of differences of culture. A very special phenomenon can be observed,
which is called “Balkanian syndrome”.
Importance of religion has been very significant in one of the conflicts, because it has
had big motivation. In the Caucasus region religion has caused many of conflicts. This
region can be found on both of border of culture zones (Christian and Islamic), which
has caused many wars and suffering of Caucasian tribes, people. Three empires wanted
to get the Caucasus; Russian Empire, Persian Empire and Osman Turkish Empire.
Persian and Turkish Empire had Islamic religion, Russian Empire was Christian. For
centuries the Caucasus was a war region between these empires.
Many experts research importance of religion in conflicts at the end of 20 th century. In
this question many international conferences have been emerged, what shows religion’s
significance in policy of security.
The connection between religion and conflicts in the Caucasus region will be shown in
this publication. These facts are significant in the Caucasus and the roots of conflicts
and religious extremists are studied. Many complex facts have caused conflicts in the
Caucasus, but only importance of religion and difference of culture as causes for war
will be investigated.
Historical background of Caucasian people
Georgians and Armenians have already lived in this region for two thousand years. First
written evidences came from the 5th century BC. From the 4th century BC both of
nations have been Christian.1 Armenians had very important military forces, which
amazed Persian kings, as well. Armenian Empire was strong, big and developed at that
time. Armenians and Georgians have identified themselves with their own religion,
which have been strengthened their identity. This theory exists nowadays as well.
Earlier and also now religion have formed society. In the 11th century BC Armenian
1
RONALD, SUNY: Az etnikai konfliktusok története a kaukázusontúli köztársaságokban. Szovjet Füzetek X. p. 14.
Received: August 24, 2009
Address for correspondence:
ÁRPÁD GERENCSÉR
E-mail: [email protected]
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
nobleship were defeated by seldjuks and from 1918 independent Armenia didn’t exist
any more. In the 14th century BC Armenians lost also political independence. Georgia
had some independence under Turkish reign at same time. In the 19th century Russian
Empire got domination in all the Caucasus. At that time Georgian lived in a compact
territory, but Armenians lived dispersing in three empires (Russian Empire, Turkish
Empire and Persian Empire) owing to Tatar’s attacks and continuous Persian-Russian,
Turkish-Russian wars. Armenian majority lived only in Yerevan County and later this
territory was the Armenian nation’s center. Because of much Armenian diasporas they
became in the Caucasus most urbanized people and Armenian were the most important
traders.2
The origin of Azeris isn’t clearly known. Some experts think, that Azeris are mixed
Turkish people, who are people of following empires; Sasanid Empire, Osman Empire,
Timurid Empire, Safavid Empire.3
At the beginning of the 20th century the tribe’s movement on the Caucasus region
was peculiar, especially in the South Caucasus. In movement of different religional and
cultural tribes got besides each other. In the Caucasus there are indigenous people
(Chechen, Ingush, Cherkes, Kabard, Adyge, Dargin, Lezgin, Abhaz, Kahet) and
immigrated people (Osset, Kumi, Meshketien Turkish, Karachai, Balkar, Avar, Tatar).
The indigenous people are called “mountainous people” and the immigrated people
“foothills”. Ossets immigrated in the Caucasus in the 5th century AC causing wars and
long hostility among the tribes.4 Armenians are Christians, Georgians and Ossets are
orthodox Christians, Azeris and North Caucasian people are Muslims. This fact proves
tribe’s the movement and explains the root’s the of conflicts.
Mountainous people were mainly engaged among own conflicts. South Caucasian
people were reigned by Persian Empire and Osman Empire. These empires didn’t
stretch their borders beyond Caucasus Mountains, that is, mountains were natural
borders. During stretching of Osman Empire South Caucasian tribes were very
conquered. Caucasian tribes fought much more violently against Turkish armies than
armies of Western European people. All of the Caucasus Mountains could only
occupied Russian Empire in the 19th century by much struggles and fights. There is a
very interesting fact; Caucasian tribes had never any kings or emperor of empire. They
always lived according to their own rules with alliances of tribes, led by leaders of
tribes. Therefore Caucasian people always fought for own freedom against all of power
(e.g. Russians/Soviets).
2
Suny, p. 16.
MATVEEVA, ANNA: The South Caucasus: Nationalism, conflict and minorites, p. 10.
4 CORNELL, SVANTE E.: Conflicts in the North Caucasus, p. 412.
3
316
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
Caucasian borders of Russian Empire were never untroubled. Since the 16th century
Russians continuously marched on southward, what caused constant stresses between
Russian conquers and mountainous tribes.
Georgians relied on the help of Orthodox Russians. Muslim Osman Empire wanted
to conquer Dukedom of Georgia in the 16th century and King George, who was at that
time king of Georgia, asked for help of Moscow. Russians designed to establish their
own administrative system in the South Caucasus. In Caucasian tribes have been a
common characteristic; Muslim religion. These tribes always lived in halfindependence. All of the empire knew they didn’t have to deal with affairs of
mountainous peoples, because it caused war and much strains. Russians treated this fact
absolute otherwise. Brutality of General Jermolov proved, that Russian Empire didn’t
deal with tradition and they wanted to enforce their volition by force. The opposition
was stronger and stronger against Russian brutality, mainly in Chechnya, which was
typical in that “Northern Caucasian Hell”. Many rebellions occurred against Russian
reign and brutality, mainly in Chechnya. Many people fled in high range, who dealt
with soldiering and used every means against Russians. These tribes formed alliances
owing to Holy Affair and caused much losses for Russian groups.5
In the 19th century, firstly in East and later in Western Caucasus spread the
Mürindism. It came from Buhara. Shortly Mürindism became symbol of the opposition
against Russians. Mulla Kazi was first leader, who announced the Holy War against
Russians and he got big popularity, mainly in Chechnya.
Historical Armenia contained all of South Caucasus and Eastern Turkey. However,
today Armenia is a small country in the world. Armenians, who were traders lived in
almost every large town and had very multilevel connection system and influence. In
Big Armenia had been cosmopolitan cities, which would have been scenes of
genocides, other name Armenian Holocaust. In Eastern Anatolian, part of the Armenian
Plateau, Armenians lived in cities in relative majority. Moslim population was fast
growing at that area and there was slim soil, which was almost totally the property of
Armenian population. This fact or most of them caused, the Armenian genocide. First
Armenian genocide occurred in 1894–96, after feeding many Armenian from Eastern
Anatoly. According to grievances Armenians wrote many letters to Turkish officers and
Western European politicians. This fact aggravated Turkish leaders and thought that
Armenians were bad minority for Moslim Turkish peoples. Armenian diaspora
incredibly supported compatriots.6
5 JAGIELSKI, WOJCIECH: K=tornyok, p. 6.
6 SZVÁK GYULA (Ed.): Oroszország története,
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
p. 83.
317
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
In World War I. Russian-Turkish front was in Caucasus. After withdrawal of
Russian armies ethnical clearing began between Armenians and Azeris (e.g. Baku), and
Eastern Anatolian massacre in 1915. In this war Armenia had the most powerful and
well-equipped army and this army fought best all over this battlefield against Turkish.
In 1915–22 occurred Armenian Holocaust, which connection of both of countries has
overshadowed. This massacre victims were 600 000–2 500 000. After this massacre
center of gravity of Armenian population stood apart the territory of present Armenia.
Fights between Azeris and Armenians unleashed in 1908 and 1915 owing to religious
and national diversity. In cities living Armenians looked at Azeris as barbarian people.
After Communism came into power irreversible processes are started in Caucasian
tribes and peoples and caused sets of unsolved conflicts and sweeping political changes
in this area. Caucasian peoples allied with every power, which fought against
Communism. Almost every day transports of deported Caucasian peoples in
Kazakhstan and Siberia, were started mainly from Northern Caucasus. Communists
destroyed all of medreses and forced their atheist and cultural volitions on Moslim
peoples. This terror caused conflicts in this area.7
The hatred was increased against Russians because of Soviet planned economy what
geared to Soviet market and raw materials economy of these countries. The hatred was
increased among mountainous peoples, as well.
Development of nations started some population movement owing to ethnical
identity. At that time homogenous ethnical capitals developed from heterogeneous
ethnical capitals. Some areas remained which caused conflicts at the end of the 20th
century, e.g. Nagorno-Karabakh, Abhazia. Borders were pulled in Moscow.
In Stalin era many Russians were settled in Caucasus region. This caused much
conflicts, what Red Army repressed.
After death of Stalin in 1953 Hrushtsov rehabilitated deported Caucasian peoples,
who wanted to resettle in the traditional homeland, but in old houses Russians and other
Caucasian people lived, who weren’t deported in 1943/44. This was one of the many
causes for revenge after collapse of Soviet Union. In many cases Soviets settled to
houses of deported Ossets, Ingush and Russian peoples.
Already during existence of Soviet Union, but mainly in perestroika era debates
were started among Caucasian countries. These debates guided to heavy conflicts and
wars. Them most famous war in these conflicts was Nagorno Karabakh. On Februar 13,
1988, demonstrations started for Karabakh in Baku and Sumgayt. These demonstrations
guided to 4 years war between Armeniens and Azeris. Officially ceasefire has not been
signed till today yet.
7
HALBACH, UWE: Etno-territorális konfliktusok a Független Államok Közösségében, p. 5.
318
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
After independence
What does the independence mean for the Caucasian countries? In 1988 radical changes
in the Caucasus started, which Moscow was unable to solve and coordinate. Under
Soviet era was prohibited to tell about conflicts, but after the collapse of Soviet Union
accumulated grievances heavily broke out plunging into war in the Caucasus. After
atheist Communism’s collapse Caucasian peoples have been very interested in
religions. Many churches and mosques were built. With this moment a religious
renaissance started in post-Soviet area.
Caucasus region paid very high cost for its independence; ethnic diversity caused
religious diversity and diversity caused war. For this the Caucasus is a very good example.
Figure 1 shows ethnic diversity in Caucasus region, which is main cause of conflicts.
In formation of this ethnic diversity policy had a big role of migrations of nations
and Russian/Soviet population. In the foreground of Northern Caucasus the great
migrations happened, which forced many small tribes to move in high mountains of
Caucasus. Deportations in 1944 and rehabilitation in 1953 formed a very explosive
atmosphere in the Northern Caucasus.
Range of the Caucasus separated two great cultures; northward Christians,
southward Moslims. In the Caucasus is found contact zone of both of two main
religions; Northern Caucasian people and Azeris are Moslims, Georgians and Ossets are
Orthodox, Armenians are Christians.
After independence almost all of the Caucasian countries fought against neighbours
(e.g. Armenian-Azeri war) and their ethnicities (e.g. Abhazs in Georgia). In most of the
conflicts Moslims and Christians fought against each other owing to their religious
disagreements. These conflicts are called “fault line wars”, where people with different
religion fight. The Caucasian conflicts have another concept; frozen conflicts. Caucasian
conflicts could be never solved and as unsolved conflicts they will trouble history and
future of the region.
Islam religion was very violent in the Caucasus Region after independence. For
example in 1997 Sharía was temporarily introduced in Chechnya. Islam in the Caucasus
Region has got very significant support from other Moslim countries. In Balkan war
many Caucasian Moslim volunteers fought in Bosnian Army and irregular groups. Now
in the Caucasus Region volunteers of other Moslim nations have mainly fought against
Russians.
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
319
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
Figure 1. Ethnic diversity in the Caucasus
Source: http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/org/armenian/pictures/caucasus.jpg
It is right also today. Religioous identity has been behind separatist movements and
autonomy aspiration in every case. In some cases ethnic groups would like to join to
neighbouring state, e.g. Ossets to Russia from Georgia.
In the Caucasus Region identity is a very important debate. Who are we? Who are
we indeed? In many cases Caucasian peoples have asked this from themselves seeking
answers. One mutual guiding exists; religion. Religion and identity have formed a very
important power which has been the center of the society in historical development of
every people.
System of the society has complicated source of conflicts. In the Caucasus clan
(teyp) have been foundation of the society. These clans have arranged their debates in
many cases with weapons. These fights would spread to other culture of people and
from this moment fault line war has got ready.
320
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
Importance of religion and terrorism
In the observations of conflicts we can read many times about the religion, but we don’t
attribute enough significance to this fact. However, the religion’s significance includes
all parts of life in the Caucasus (due to Muslim religion). Evidence of this fact is that
many conferences have arranged in this theme all over the world.
The religion influences economical ties, too. We can best prove it in the North
Caucasus, where tribes live in clan system and they trade with each other according to
religious and social principles. Heads of tribes direct this system. Their decisions form
all “international” business relations and political situation in these regions.
After the Sovietunion broke up many of medrese’8 were founded in the Caucasus
Region. Judgement of these schools is very different. Firstly, these are traditional
schools, where the Koran and its main principles for young men is taught. On the other
hand, these schools have very negative influence in the young community, because they
listen to fundamental theses. In many cases from these students “holy fighters”, martyrs
will be become. In many medreses these negative principles is taught to students. These
principles are bad interpreted from the Koran by Moslim teachers.
However, mass media present the Islam as a bad culture. This fact consists of more
reasons. Firstly, after the Socialist block collapsed the Western’s military lost earlier
role. Now the Western countries are regarded as the Islam main enemy. The Moslim
culture has had one and half millennial tradition, and base of this has created Koran.
Secondly, most of terror attacks have been committed by moslim people, but we
haven’t extended extremist’s movements on the all moslim culture. Most of Moslims
have lived very simple, peaceful life, who have loved Mohamed and Allah, the God.
Mass media have published in every form: all Moslim are terrorist! It is not true! Just
Islam is another “world” with special traditions and religion. We can observe this
process in Russia in connection with Moslims of North Caucasus. In regard of Chechen
war it hasn’t changed more in Russia since General Jermolov. Chechen leaders have
been fanatic extremists and they have started fight against Moscow in North Caucasus
on behalf of separatism with leader of Dzohar Dudayev. Russia has fought on Chechen
people for centuries, but this modern war is horrible. Since 1999 the second Chechen
war has gone on after Soviet Union’s collapse. In many case Chechen fighters has used
terrorist methods against Russian army, special forces and people (Beslan, Mozdok).
Since 11 September, 2001, Chechen military groups have been on international terrorist
list by President Putin. Some Chechen extremists have done huge danger for all own
people. Because of terrible war and terror attacks Russian soldiers have not taken
8
MEDRESE: Muslim religious school. Many Moslim countries have such school. Girls don’t learn in these.
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
321
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
difference between Chechen soldiers and citizens. Chechen generals have fought
against each other as well, and with these processes they have tried to hide criminal acts
and their black market. Criminal acts have been hidden with bad interpret of Koran by
Chechen generals.
What are terror acts? Not only Moslim people have committed terror attacks, but
other nationalities as well. Many times suicide terror attacks have been committed
against markets, military checkpoints, military convoys, hospitals, schools, other
ethnicities. The mass media have not exactly informed people of terror attacks. It is the
fault of mass media. This method is shown for people that “Muslims are in charge of all
bad things and sufferings”.
The big question: is there any between terror attacks and religion? It is a bit
complicated in the Caucasus. In the North Caucasus most of terror attacks have been
committed by Islamic Chechen rebels. With these they have wanted to do the war’s
escalate in the whole North Caucasus. Our main admittance is partly certified: if terror,
then Moslims. In Adjaria, Abhazia, South-Ossetia (parts of Georgia), near of Tbilisi,
Azerbaijan attacks have been committed, as well. But these causes have not committed
by Moslims in many cases. These armed forces have fought against legal government
and its regular forces. They have wanted to get power in these regions and countries. In
many cases these separatists have been Christians fighting for their independence and
rights. These facts certify that not only Moslims have committed terror attacks, but also
other religious groups. The terror does not depend on religion as the Western thinks. It
is true, that attacks have been committed by Moslims have got more attention in mass
media than other fights. Center of separatist groups is Gorge Pankisi nearby border of
Georgia and Chechnya. In the North Caucasus Moslim separatists have committed
attacks, but in Transcaucasus have been so simply situation. The brutality will cause a
lot of suffering for Muslim people in Caucasus region.9
According to Islamic culture mistaken adjudication Western countries look at Moslims
“evil people”. False consequences get other false ones causing many times conflicts. We
can observe these accomplishments of false conclusions all over the world. We don’t
adjudge a culture by its achievements, it is a very bad Western approach.
Religious difference was well observed in Armenien-Azeri war for NagornoKarabakh. Many Armenien genocides have been registered in history. Their causes are
religious difference and identity. Armenians have been proud of their religion and
traditions. The origin of the Azeris hasn’t been solved. Maybe their ancestors arrived in
the Caucasus in the 11th–12th century. At that time Tatar riders invaded to Western and
9
MEIER, ANDREW: How did it come to this?, p. 80.
322
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
South regions and some remained from their groups. These groups had Siít religion
(sufi sect). The Chechen revived the tradition of Sufism, which was so strong during the
holy war against Russia and as a force for ethnic networking during the years of
deportation in Central Asia. Today it is regaining its strength. Two major tariqats
(movements or brotherhoods towards the right way to God), are prevailing, the
Naqshbandia and the Qadiri. Both developed from revivalist movements of Muslim
mystics into radical North Caucasian political movements, in the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries respectively, the first being more philosophical, the second more
militant, although these are very superficial generalizations. Both survived underground
during Soviet anti-religious campaigns and strengthened during the years of
deportation. Membership of one of the tariqats is in principle subject to an individual's
free choice, but it is in practice often linked to traditional clan loyalties. The various
tariqat are clearly distinguished by content, symbolized by distinct rituals and dances,
the zikr which regularly are evoked as mobilizing forces. They were very brave and
combative. This attribute is characteristic in their life, as well.10 Differences have
always been found of war and with spreading of sects, irredentism, fanatic religious
paradigms many conflicts will unleash in the Caucasus. In these wars the role of
religion will be very important. In Soviet era much grievances were in the Caucasian
society, all Caucasian tribes have reckoned Russians as enemy, foreign. After Soviet
Union’s break out these grievances caused wars, genocides, forced migration,
economical chaos. Many times Moslim orators have set huge mass afire, and later they
haven’t poured oil on troubled waters. It is a very dangerous “weapon”. That caused
Armenien genocide in 1991, Baku.11 During the Soviet period, practised religion did
not play an important role in society, at least not overtly. But it has always been an
integral part of the people’s identity. Today, the impact of religion as a factor of
distinction is on the increase in the Caucasus, mainly in the North Caucasus. It is also
used for articulating ethnic identity on the political scene.
Religion is an integrated factor of the cultures, yet does not form the basis for
hostility between groups, even though the media, particular Western media, regularly
describe them as Christian-Muslim conflicts. There is, on the other hand, a growing
tendency to identify opponents in internal conflicts in terms of religious stereotypes
when this is applicable.
There is another fact, which has important effect in religious process: globalization.
After 1990 we can see a religious renaissance. Why? This process has been mainly in
post-Soviet region. Under Soviet era atheism was the main paradigm. After the collapse
10
11
Matveeva, p. 17.
Suny, p. 28.
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
323
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
of Soviet Union lots of churches were built, mainly in Russia. This process spilled out
all over the world. Modern theses are in religion, but main principles remain. With
modern technologies all information go to people very easy. This helps for spreading of
extreme principles, which are characteristic in Islam.
The North Caucasus is known as one of Russia's Muslim regions. Islam, in its
scholarly variety, came to Dagestan when part of the region was under Persian rule. It
was also the religion of the Turkic tribes coming from the northern steppes. But more
important, Islam, in its Sufi variety, played a unifying role during the long War of
Independence against Russian colonization in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The heroes of the resistance, Sheildi Mansur and Imam Shamil, both religious and
political leaders gave rise to an ethnic and regional revival of the Sufi tradition. Both
traditions have been revived, particularly in the eastern republics and in Dagestan, for
example, the importance of the Imam in political life is growing.
The western republics have taken a much more secularized attitude to religious
rituals and symbols to date. Their Muslim identity is predominantly cultural. Religious
emissaries from various countries and congregations have visited all the republics in the
Caucasus and mosques and Islam institutes have opened in several places, e.g.
Dagestan, Chechnia, Ingushia and Karachai Cherkessia. However, Islamic
fundamentalism has little hearing on the situation so far.
The other great religion is Christianity in its Orthodox version. Once it was the
predominant religion in the region, especially after the final Russian conquest in 1864,
when hundreds of thousands of Muslim Caucasians left Russia for the Ottoman Empire
and Christians settled in the deserted areas, among them Armenians, Georgians and
Russians. For instance this has set its mark on the Abkhaz. This is in contrast to many
other groups where the tendency was for societies to be transformed from Christian to
Muslim of Soft observance as part and parcel of the organized resistance against conquest.
Connection systems in Caucasus
Religion hase been always there in Caucasian conflicts and connections. Alliance have
founded on religious and cultural and historical foundations. In the past Christian
Armenians and Georgians asked for help the Russian tsar many times against Turkish
and Persian jeopardize. Russian influence rose in these processes in Caucasus region for
centuries.
These processes exist nowadays as well. However Armenians ever get Russia’s help
in its conflicts happening this in Karabakh war. Georgian government would like to get
more Western help against Abkhaz and Ossetien separatists, but the tradition of these
324
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
processes does not exist in the Caucasus being ever Russian dominant. More cultural
ties could be observed between Russian and Georgian people than between Western and
Georgian ones.
Moslim countries, tribes are supported by strong Moslim powers (Iran, Saud-Arabia,
Pakistan). Another movement exists in support besides religious ties: getting power
above the region. Russia’s heritage of empire would like to get power back above the
Caucasus region. Iran and Turkey would like to get power on the basic of religious ties.
In these “games” also US gets intervention (mainly through “energy diplomacy”).
World and regional powers used the idea of “divide et impera” (share and reign) against
each other getting some advance in the region.
In economical processes is important religion. Clans trade with each other and these
ties form very strong cultural traditional background. Clans use special settling of
account sin trade what seem to be curious for foreign people. These misunderstandings
go to bloody conflicts.
Big questions of future
Conflicts in the Caucasus region are very dangerous for all the world. Let us think of
the event on ZMNE,12 Hungary, in 2004. An Azeri officer murdered an Armenian
officer with an axe at the above mentioned university. Such events would cause
significant hostilities among Christian and Moslim countries in the future.
Owing to big challenge of future the Caucasus region will have a fragile peace.
Signifant elements of this process: restrengthening of Russia, US as super power,
nuclear ambitions of Iran, subregional ambitions of Turkey, world power ambitions of
China. In processes “energy diplomacy” and endeavor of US that it controls Russia are
very important.
International community must pay more attention on the borders of Caucasus not
only energy sources, but also dangers of national security.
Religious fanatism will be arising because of increasing of population and “frozen
conflicts” and hate of indigenous tribes. Their root of these conflicts is contained much
suffering and giving up. Because of complex problems more attention on traditions and
historical grievances on negotiations for peace of the Caucasus region must be paid.
Caucasian countries have strong religious found, but they don’t have a stable
economy. These countries are shaping their community and developing their economy.
In the past a power always reigned above Caucasian people. Since 1991 Caucasian
12
ZMNE – is a military universitiy in Hungary. For this official name: Zrínyi Miklós National Defense University.
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
325
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
people have been free, and this situation has been a bit curious for ones. They intricately
find the way of development. In Western democracy religion does not play a significant
role, but in Islam society religion is a very important fact, as we know, religion is found
of society. Azerbaijan is a Moslim country, where religious found establishes Azeri
community. Owing to rich energy sources Western countries don’t look at these correct
processes which get Iranian support. In Western states the religion and secular life are
sharply distinguished. History and society in the Caucasus are full of hate making
solution of conflicts more difficult. In the Caucasus development of society and
economy are differing from other Christian countries and this is the main fact that
hinders the development in the Caucasus region.
The Caucasus has a complex ethnic mosaic being one of the most significant fact of
wars. Ethnic mosaic belongs to different religions. This difference causes war in most
cases like in the Caucasus.
Conclusion
In the Caucasus region if can be observed very serious conflicts of contact of culture
zones. It is moved by religion, ethnicity. This is only one element of causes of conflicts,
but one of the most important ones. Religion motivation has not got too much
importance till now, otherwise it can be said, this element has got a subordinated role.
Its role has risen recently and the science pays more attention to this problem, too. This
issue has emerged lately at international conferences.
In the Caucasian region the religion plays a very important role and its
misconstruction can result in serious mistakes and religious extremes have an
extraordinary destruction in society. One of the substantial questions of the historical
hostilities is the religion. It has arisen from ancestors of people. In the future this fact
will influence even more this region’s development, because Arabic culture stretches,
the rate of Christians’ decrease and imperial aspiration will evolve together affect in
development of the Caucasian region.
In this region the terrorism has had a tradition, but the contemporary terrorism has
already jeopardized all existence of the region. Separatist groups try to get backers in
vain, they can just get illegal support and due to their religion and acts they will be on
“deadlist”, which influences their existence and future.
326
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
Á. GERENCSÉR: Christian and Islamic culture
References
CORNELL, SVANTE E.: Conflicts in the North Caucasus – Central Asia Survey, 1998. 17. szám, p. 409–441,
www.pcr.uu.se/publications/cornell_pub/nortcauc.pdf, 2006-11-25
HALBACH, UWE: Etno-territorális konfliktusok a Független Államok Közösségében,
in http://www.sze.hu/mtdi/gyoreuropa/R%E9sztematik%E1k/UweHalbachETNOTERRIT.doc, 2006-09-22
JAGIELSKI, WOJCIECH: K=tornyok, in http://www.forrasfolyoirat.hu/0510/wojciech.html, 2006-09-22
MATVEEVA, ANNA: The South Caucasus: Nationalism, conflict and minorites – MRG, United Kingdom, 2002
– ISBN 1 8976 93 44 3
MEIER, ANDREW: How did it come to this? in National Geographic, 2005 július, 78–91 p.
RONALD, SUNY: Az etnikai konfliktusok története a kaukázusontúli köztársaságokban – Szovjet Füzetek X. –
Magyar Ruszisztikai Intézet – Budapest, 1993 – ISBN 963 7730 10 9
SZVÁK GYULA (Ed.): Oroszország története – Budapest, 1997 – ISBN 963 8469 69 2
AARMS 8(2) (2009)
327