Ethnic Georgian Muslims

A Comparison of Highland and Lowland Villages

Author(s): Ruslan Baramidze
Editor(s): Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Lili Di Puppo
Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest (CAD)
Issue: 20
Pages: 13-15
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Jefferson Institute, Washington D.C.; Heinrich Böll Foundation, Tbilisi; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2010

This article examines the differences among Muslim communities in highland and lowland areas of Adjara. The Muslims of the highland area tend to be more devout, while those in the lowland are more heavily influenced by the nearby urban culture of Batumi. Residents of the highland areas tend to have more free time to engage in religious activities, and often see religious educational institutions as a way to earn a living, while those in the lowland areas are more focused on secular education and careers.

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