Exploring Religiosity among Kyrgyz Migrants in the United States

Some immigrants become more religious after migration due to isolation, marginalization, and difficulties adjusting to a new culture. The purpose of this research is twofold: to explore the level of religiosity among Kyrgyzstani migrants who self-identify as religious and to ascertain the extent to which Muslim Kyrgyz in the United States are able to fulfill their religious yearnings. The data are drawn from a survey of Kyrgyz migrants in the Chicago metropolitan area. This study sheds light on the diversity of the Muslim community, demonstrating that former Soviet Muslims practice Islam in ways that are different from other Muslims.