On the issue of political positioning of civil society actors within the system of state-religious relations (drawing on the example of Russian Islamic religious organizations)

<jats:p>The article analyzes contemporary trends toward the strengthening of civil society in the Russian Federation, taking into account the expanding role of identity-based foundations for citizens’ self-organization within public associations. Ethno-confessional identity is highlighted as a key basis for civic self-organization, reflecting the multi-ethnic and multi-confessional nature of Russian society. The study identifies the primary areas of activity of Islamic religious organizations as civil society actors whose functions carry an indirect political dimension. It traces how spiritual Muslim administrations — though formally non-political entities — are politically engaged and integrated into core domains of Russia’s contemporary political process and socio-political relations. Socially responsible initiatives undertaken by Islamic religious organizations are examined as factors facilitating their inclusion in public policy. The article also underscores the relevant correlation between the spiritual pillars of Islam as a religion of action and the spiritual doctrinal principles of Russia’s current political ideology of reasonable conservatism.”</jats:p>