WSU Historical Society Lecture Series Discusses Muslims in Russia
OGDEN, Utah – The Weber Historical Society Lecture Series will take a close look at Russian policy toward minority groups since the fall of the Soviet Union Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in Weber State University’s Hurst Center Dumke Legacy Hall.
“While on a research project in Russia, I observed the different ways minority groups discussed their own histories and their relationship with the Russian government,” said WSU assistant history professor Matthew Romaniello. “Most people in the U.S. don't think about the tremendously diverse populations living inside Russia. Muslims are one of the most important groups, particularly because Islam is the largest religion in Russia after Orthodoxy.”
Romanillo specializes in Russian studies and has written several books, including “The Elusive Empire: Kazan and the Creation of Russia, 1552-1671.”
Romaniello’s lecture will examine three case studies – the Tatars, Chuvashes and Chechens – to discuss the ways Muslims have navigated the Russian government under the leadership of Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin.
The presentation is sponsored by the WSU Alumni Association, the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, the Department of History, Stewart Library and the Weber Historical Society.
Visit weber.edu/history/historicalsociety for more information on the Weber Historical Society Spring Lecture Series.
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Ross Rosier, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • rossrosier@weber.edu- Contact:
Eric Swedin, history professor
801-626-6692 • eswedin@weber.edu