'I Have an Interest in Everything Related to Islam and Politics'

Mir-Ali Askerov became a scientist out of curiosity: initially, he read about the activities of radical Islamist groups, and later, he learned how to study them academically. In this interview with the HSE Young Scientists project, he explains why he chose to study moderate political parties in Central Asia, discusses the concept of God's sovereignty in lawmaking currently adopted in Afghanistan, and shares his fascination with Sufism.

Why I Chose to Pursue a Career in Science

It feels more like science chose me. For a long time, I didn’t give much thought to my future career. However, I enjoyed doing scientific work during my studies. I went on my first scientific expedition, which was to Dagestan, during the third year of my bachelor's degree as part of the Rediscovering Russia project. Since then, I have continued doing this work—just at some point, I started getting paid for it.

The Subject of My Research

I study issues related to various Islamic political movements and parties across the Middle East, Central and South Asia, the South Caucasus, and Africa. Initially, I focused exclusively on radical, paramilitary, and armed groups, but over time, my focus expanded to include moderate political parties.

What My PhD Dissertation Is About

It specifically focuses on moderate political parties. The approved topic of my dissertation is 'Islamic Political Parties in Post-Soviet Eurasia: Factors of Origin and Institutionalisation.' I cover Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

I chose this topic because it appeared to be far less explored compared to others. When discussing Islamic politics, people often immediately think of something radical. However, during the Arab Spring, it was moderate Islamists who emerged as the main actors in the revolutionary events and, in several countries, became key drivers of eventual democratisation.

Currently, moderate political parties in Central Asia and Azerbaijan are receiving insufficient attention from the research community. I find it interesting to explore their unique aspects and identify commonalities between these countries and those in the Middle East.

Why I Initially Wanted to Study Radical Movements

The mass media covered them extensively, and politicians often discussed them. I was interested in understanding the phenomenon: why underground groups emerge and engage in armed struggle in some regions but not others, why people join these groups, and what their goals are. Studying Arabic during my bachelor's provided me with greater access to information about these organisations. It was only later that I began incorporating this into my research.

Which Region of the World Has the Highest Prevalence of Radicals

The current political hotspots in the world are in Africa, including the Sahel countries—Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria—as well as Mozambique and Somalia. There is a significant territorial control by banned terrorist groups there.

A Unique Phenomenon in the Islamic World

I am referring to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. There is an emir there who is also the leader of the Taliban movement, which is banned in Russia. The emirate, as a form of government, does not include a parliament, so there are no political parties. The reason is that parliament is a legislative body. In present-day Afghanistan, having a parliament would contradict the principles of the Islamic faith, where the law is considered to have a divine essence. Therefore, a parliament would undermine the concept of God's sovereignty over lawmaking.

What I Take Pride In

The fact that I work at the institute where I studied, refer to my former teachers as colleagues, and participate with them in scientific conferences is already a significant achievement for me. I am also proud to have progressed to the doctoral programme. As for my papers, I find it difficult to assess them objectively. I would prefer to hear the opinions of readers and critics.

If I Hadn't Become a Scientist

I could have chosen multiple other careers. A bachelor's degree in Asian and African Studies, with its focus on language study, provides a broad range of skills. In my fourth year, I participated in various volunteer projects at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and developed an interest in diplomatic work. At one point, I was interested in pursuing a career in business. I was also drawn to journalism.

Scientists I Would Like to Meet

I would like to meet the orientalist Wael Hallaq. A few years ago, he worked at HSE University in Moscow. He focuses on various aspects of Islamic law, but I am also interested in him as the author of The Impossible State, a seminal book due to be published in Russian soon. This fundamental work greatly influenced me at the time.

The second scholar I would like to meet is Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, a classical expert on Islamic law from Pakistan. He visited HSE University in Moscow to give lectures on Islamic finance. But unfortunately, I did not yet know about him at the time.

Among the Muslim Countries I Have Not Visited, I Would Like to Go to...

Pakistan, Mauritania, and Saudi Arabia. The current Saudi prince has been actively reshaping the country's image, so I believe that in the coming years, we will view Saudi Arabia in a completely different light.

A Typical Day for Me

I usually wake up fairly late and try to schedule classes for my students no earlier than 1:00 PM, ideally starting around 2:40 PM. I either commute to work or, less frequently, to HSE University's co-working space. In St. Petersburg, we are located on Naberezhnaya Kanala Griboedova; our building has a very nice library and productive atmosphere. In the evening, I either return home or relocate to a nearby coffee shop to continue working. Then I finally go home and do my household chores. I go to bed late too.

Whether I Have Experienced Burnout

I still struggle to understand what it is about. When you work a lot, you feel tired, it happens. I handle it by simply taking a break and doing nothing. If there's an opportunity to travel and, even better, combine it with research work, it’s ideal.

My Interests Besides Science

I am interested in Sufism, which is a mystical branch of Islamic thought. In general terms, it is a subdiscipline within Islamic religious sciences. In some aspects, it resembles our Western idea of psychology, while in other aspects, it involves spiritual practices similar to those known in the Western world through yoga. Sufism is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity.

What I Have Been Reading Lately

I try to explore various areas of political and philosophical thought and have recently read the treatise Men Among the Ruins by the Italian far-right philosopher Julius Evola.

Advice for Those Who Choose a Career in Science

Don't be shy. This is also advice I give myself, as I haven't completely overcome my own shyness. Share what you are writing and what you are working on. Even if the feedback is not entirely positive, it is not a problem. On the contrary, it is an opportunity to address your mistakes.

My Favourite Location in St. Petersburg

Sennaya Square. It is located next to both buildings of my university: I studied in one for my bachelor's degree, and I am currently working in the other. Therefore, I have been visiting the area regularly for eight years, and I have a few of my favourite cafes there.

The Petrograd Side comes a close second. 'Petrogradka' is pleasant to walk around and enjoy the city, offering a relatively quiet and peaceful environment.

Who Influenced My Decision to Become a Scientist

My grandfather was not involved in science, but he read extensively and would share stories from the books with me. It was mostly about history, which is how I developed an interest in the subject. In turn, my mother fostered my appreciation for fiction and fine art. I believe that the choice of profession is influenced by one's environment—the conversations heard in childhood, the characters in books, and the images that come to mind while reading.