In 1956, the Grand Mosque of Leningrad was reopened, marking the return of Islamic worship in the city after years of closure under Soviet rule. The reopening came after a long period of state atheism, during which many religious institutions were shuttered, and religious practices were heavily restricted. By this time, Soviet authorities had begun to realize that it was impossible to fully eradicate faith, especially in a multi-ethnic state with significant Muslim populations. The reopening of the mosque coincided with Soviet diplomatic efforts to strengthen relations with Muslim-majority countries, highlighting a shift in policy regarding religious tolerance.
The Muslim community in Leningrad, particularly from the Tatar ethnic group, had faced severe repression throughout the 1930s and 1940s, including the closure of mosques and persecution of religious leaders. By 1956, however, the Soviet state began to relax some restrictions on religious activities, allowing the reopening of key religious sites such as the Grand Mosque. This act was a gesture toward the recognition that religion, particularly Islam, could not be completely suppressed, and it also served as a strategic diplomatic move. The timing of the mosque’s reopening with the visit of Indonesian President Sukarno was a clear indication of the Soviet Union’s awareness of the importance of maintaining a more flexible religious policy.
The first prayer at the mosque after its reopening was a moment of religious significance, but it also reflected broader political realities. The Soviet regime, while still controlling religious expression, began to acknowledge that suppressing deeply ingrained faith was not a viable long-term strategy. This recognition was important both for internal social stability and for managing international relations with Muslim-majority nations. The reopening of the mosque, though tightly controlled, symbolized a shift in Soviet policy and the resilience of faith under state-imposed atheism.
Sources:
1. Bekkin, Renat. "The Cathedral Mosque of Leningrad in the 1930s–1940s: Muslim Strategies of Survival and Soviet Anti-religious Policy." Minbar. Islamic Studies, Russian Islamic Institute, 2021. zendy.io/title/10.31162/2618-9569-2021-14-3-529-555. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
2. "Islam in the Soviet Union." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_the_Soviet_Union. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
The Reopening of the Grand Mosque of Leningrad: A Turning Point in Soviet Religious Policy