According to 2017 estimates, the countries of the former Soviet Union were the largest single source of foreign fighters in the Syria/Iraq conflict—more than neighboring states in the Middle East. Although they share no cultural or language ties to Syria or Iraq, it is estimated that more than 4,200 Central Asians joined the conflict. Communities across the region will feel the effects for decades as those exposed to the horrors of war and extremist ideology return. The challenge Central Asian communities face from violent extremist groups is real, but so is their determination to fight back on a social and state level.
Not in Our Name, produced by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was the first regional counter-extremism project ever produced for Central Asia. Staff traveled to diverse areas within the region, exploring and reporting on how residents can work together at the local and national level to prevent the spread of violence and extremism. This unique project collected video portraits of individuals who lost family members in Syria and Iraq, and presented those portraits to young people from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, asking them to share their experiences and perspectives.
The project’s goal was to give a platform to empower communities to stand up to violent extremist recruiters that claim to represent them. Focus groups were held in each country with two different audiences--those directly affected by extremist recruiting and those who have not been impacted. A final session brings all participants together to share their very different experiences and learn from one another.
Uzbek, Kazakh, Tajik, and Kyrgyz participants from all ten sessions agreed there are no simple answers. This project follows them as they come to a deeper understanding of the challenges they face and consider what they can do together to form strong communities that take a stand and declare “Not in Our Name.”
A Kazakh brother and sister in Raqqa, Syria
Not in Our Name — English language documentery feature, RFE/RL 2018.
Episode 1 (Kyrgyz and Uzbek with Russian subtitles): Osh, Kyrgyzstan
Episode 2 (Russian and Kyrgyz with Russian subtitles): Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Episode 3 (Russian, Kyrgyz, Uzbek with Russian subtitles): Osh and Bishkek Mixed Group
Episode 4 (Kazakh with Russian subtitles): Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan
Episode 5 (Kazakh with Russian subtitles): Almaty, Kazakhstan
Episode 6 (Kazakh with Russian subtitles): Zhezkazgan and Almaty Mixed Group
Episode 7 (Tajik with Russian subtitles): Khatlon Province, Tajikistan
Episode 8 (Tajik and Russian with Russian subtitles): Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Episode 9 (Tajik and Russian with Russian subtitles): Khatlon and Dushanbe Mixed Group
Finale, Episode 10 (Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Kazakh, Tajik and Russian): Regional Session in Bishkek with Participants from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.