The role of the Qadiyat of the Muslim Religious Board in the modern Muslim Community of Tatarstan

Abstract

The study of the activities of Muslim institutions in the field of regulation of social relations in a secular state is of particular interest in terms of religious associations’ adaptation. The authors explore the structure of the Qadiyat of the Muslim Religious Board of the Republic of Tatarstan, the powers of qadis, the main directions of their activities and give examples of the consideration of cases by Muslim judges, analyzing regulations and publications within the framework of the structural-functional approach. Tatarstan qadis as members of the Qadis Council and as regional Muslim judges perform control, advisory, mediation and arbitration functions. Qadis deal with marriage and family matters, inheritance disputes, settle conflicts in the business sphere, consult on Sharia issues and are engaged in the preservation and strengthening of Tatar traditions. One of the promising directions for the development of the institution of Qadiyat as an instrument for pre-trial settlement of disputes is the creation of a mediation and arbitration body on its basis that can help a wide range of believers to resolve conflicts according to the norms of Islam and Russian laws.