September 11th acted as a springboard for religious fundamentalist movements who were endeavouring to increase their influence over a wide area stretching from the Crimea to South East Asia. The United States' declaration of "War on Terror" consolidated and strengthened these movements. The enemy lines that the US and coalition forces face now are made up of the same groups that the CIA had once used against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.

Despite government initiatives to unite religious education and activities under one institution, unofficial religious activities in the republics of the post-Soviet era have rapidly spread in the region. In just two years, approximately 5000 unofficial religious schools were opened in Uzbekistan alone. [1]
The trend of fundamentalism with all its conspicuity becomes apparent especially in the Fergana Valley. [2] This strategically important valley, which is located between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and home to one fifth of the Central Asian population, has become the cradle of every kind of religious fundamentalism.
The Islamic Renaissance Party, born as an Islamist political movement within the Muslim population of the former Soviet territory, has rapidly become organised in Central Asia, particularly in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, increasing its political influence to the point where it has caused concern within local governments. [3] A significant section of the leadership of groups that were shifting towards fundamentalism has been forced to leave the country because of the attitudes of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. While leaders of secular-nationalist movements continue their political life in Turkey and Western states, leaders of Islamist movements chose Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan to establish their new resistance movement. This has paved the way for unification between fundamentalist movements in Central Asia and those in Southeast Asia and China's Xingjian Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Close encounters with armed religious fundamentalist groups in the region have caused increasing militarization of perceived moderate groups. Formerly religiously motivated organisations in Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have now come under the influence of Saudi Wahhabism. The influence of the outsiders was limited to within religious groups until 1994, when these groups became more susceptible to such influences. [4] These movements moved away from the Sufi Islamic understanding, which dominated Central Asia and Southeast Asia in the past, and have transformed into radical groups that have now distanced themselves from the normal populace. Consequently, it would be helpful to investigate the path of religious fundamentalism in three stages:
1. The Initial Stage (1994-1997)
2. First Generation Terror Wave (1997-2001)
3. Increasingly Intensifying Total War (2001-Present)
Religious fundamentalism proved that it had become an established power when the Taliban seized control of Kabul in 1997. This situation, which was a threat to the region's states, became more complicated as the Taliban rule became increasingly tougher. The escape of approximately 1500 people to East Tajikistan via South Kyrgyzstan, made the problem regional, resulted in radicalisation and the terrorisation of Islamic groups. [5]
In May 1998, leaders in the region signed an agreement for the prevention of activities of Islamic groups. However, this regional alliance caused radical groups to form their own alliance. In this process, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) appeared as a military and political power through the unification of small Islamic groups.
The seriousness of the threat that the IMU poses to the governments of Asia is debatable. However, we should not forget that in a possible resistance, besides the active IMU militants, thousands of "dormant" sympathisers could join them.
Even more powerful than the IMU and covertly increasing its influence in a wide region from Caucasia to Southeast Asia, and even to China's Xingjian region is the Hizb-ut Tahrir (HT) movement. Today, Hizb-ut Tahrir controls many mosques in the Crimea through their movement that they call "Peaceful Jihad". Mosques in mainly Muslim populated cities like Alusta, Yalta and Simperafol are under the control of Hizb-ut Tahrir's imams and community rather than the muftis. Religious fundamentalism is increasingly spreading within the younger generation. The intensification of street fights between Muslims and Christians in the Crimea, which are seen as minor incidents today, could later on lead to confrontations between Turkey and Russia as Turkey is officially helping the Crimea in religious matters. The Black Sea, which is already suffering a turbulent period, could become a closed sea because of the Crimea. To add to this, radicals have already started armed attacks in Russia's Dagestan-Azerbaijan border. Clashes in Azerbaijan's border town during the spring of 2007 were a sign of the level that instability could reach.
HT, like other similar groups, aims for the establishment of a radical Islamic state. The organisation defines its strategy against aggression as "peaceful jihad". HT's goal is not limited to Central Asia, but aims to unite the world's Muslims in a global Islamic State under the rule of a Caliph. Central Asia is just another "province" for the organisation, which has millions of followers all around the world. HT is a very effective organisation in many Muslim states, especially in Pakistan, Egypt and North African states and the Muslim Diaspora in Europe, especially within the younger generation. [6] The fact that Hizb-ut Tahrir is governed from the United Kingdom poses many questions. One of the most significant questions is why the United Kingdom ignores the activities of this organisation, while the Metropolitan police shoot innocent foreigners out of the fear of a religious fundamentalist attack.
HT, which is organised around "peaceful jihad", holds meetings in Central Asia where millions of its members gather. With the activation of these members, this "peaceful jihad" could transform into a total war. When thousands of militants from China's western provinces to the eastern Balkans receive the long awaited signal, Eurasia could turn into a bloodbath. This situation would directly threaten not only Asia but also Europe and even North Africa. If the West wants to use religious radicalism against Russia and China to increase its influence in the region, terrorist attacks that are similar to those carried out in Madrid, Istanbul or London will be inevitable.

Endnotes
[1] HAGHAYEGHI, M. Islam and Politics in Central Asia, (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1995), pg.159
[2] According to Lubin's survey, the numbers of continuous worshippers are 75% in Andican, 47% Namangan. LUBIN, N., "Islam and Ethnic Identity in Central Asia: A View from Below", pp.57-9
[3] ZELKINA, A., "Islam and Security in the New States of Central Asia: How Genuine is the Islamic Threat?", Religion, State & Society, 1999, Vol.27, No.3-4, p.360. Also see; GLENN, J., Identities in Transition: The Soviet Legacy in Central Asia, (Unpublished PhD Dissertation, Southampton University, 1997), p. 168
[4] RASHID, A., "Confrontation Brews among Islamic Militants in Central Asia", Central Asia Caucasus The Analyst, Biweekly Briefing, 22 October 2000
[5] PANNIER, B., "Kyrgyzstan: Uzbekistan's Raid to Free Hostages Highlights Complex Problem", RFE/RL, 19 August 1999. Also See: "Political Repression in Uzbekistan Produces Repercussions in Kyrgyzstan", The NIS Observed: An Analytical Review, Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology and Policy, 13 September 1999, Vol.4, No.14; (http://www.bu.edu/iscip/digest/vol4/ed0414.html)
[6] RASHID, A., "The Fires of Faith in Central Asia: Islamic Movement in Central Asia", World Policy Journal, Spring 2001; Vol.18, No.1; (http://www.afghanradio.com/news/2002/may/...05052001.html)