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Niginakhon Saida

Niginakhon Saida

Niginakhon Saida is a scholar whose research interests focus on gender, Islam, and politics in Central Asia.

Nigina is a graduate of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, where she studied politics and security (Central Asia). She is an adjunct professor at Webster University in Tashkent and teaches political science and sociology related classes. She is also a master’s student at the University of Glasgow in Eurasian studies. Her research interests focus on gender, Islam, and politics in Central Asia. Nigina has a degree in European Studies: Human Rights and Democratization in the Caucasus from Yerevan State University as well.

You can find her on Twitter.

Nigina was a Summer 2022 intern with The Diplomat’s Crossroads Asia section and is now a regular contributor to The Diplomat.

Posts by Niginakhon Saida
October 02, 2024

Central Asia’s War on Hijab

By Niginakhon Saida and Svetlana Dzardanova
As Central Asian governments tighten restrictions on the hijab in the name of upholding secularism, devout Muslim women find themselves forced to navigate an increasingly difficult choice between their faith and the law.

September 30, 2024

Uzbek Politician Alisher Qodirov Takes on Russian Chauvinism and Soviet Legacy

By Niginakhon Saida
Alisher Qodirov’s outspoken criticism of Russian chauvinism and the Soviet legacy marks a significant shift in Uzbekistan’s political discourse, sending a clear message to Moscow.
August 27, 2024

Uzbekistan’s Tightrope Between Individual Religious Expression and Secular Governance

By Niginakhon Saida
As Islamic practices rise in Uzbekistan, authorities do their best to maintain a secular public sphere.

July 23, 2024

What Explains the Declining Reputation of Higher Education in Uzbekistan?

By Niginakhon Saida
There are many factors, but ultimately a college diploma no longer guarantees employment and the youth of Uzbekistan are skeptical of its necessity.

July 18, 2024

Brides Too Soon: The Rising Trend of Early Marriages in Uzbekistan

By Niginakhon Saida
Early marriages are on the rise, primarily driven by a growing scarcity of eligible brides.

June 27, 2024

New Amendments Target Parents Seeking Islamic Education for Children in Uzbekistan

By Niginakhon Saida
If enacted, a new draft law will add fines and possible jail time for parents that seek illegal Islamic education for their children. 
June 05, 2024

Imams in Uzbekistan Asked to Stay off Social Media

By Niginakhon Saida
Uzbek imams and religious bloggers occupy an influential space online in Uzbekistan.

May 14, 2024

Women as Wives: How Uzbekistan’s Justice System Fails to Serve Women

By Niginakhon Saida
Uzbekistan’s judicial system perceives women as wives in domestic violence cases and does not shy away from punishing them for responding to abuse.

April 19, 2024

How Are Patterns of Labor Migration From Uzbekistan Changing?

By Niginakhon Saida
Following the Crocus City Hall attack and a subsequent wave of xenophobia and discrimination toward migrants in Russia, Tashkent has introduced additional measures to support its labor migrants abroad and at home. 

April 15, 2024

Uzbekistan’s Educational Challenge: Scaling up for a Booming Population

By Niginakhon Saida and Sher Khashimov
Can Uzbekistan’s education system accommodate the growing number of students amid rapid population growth?

April 09, 2024

Uzbekistan Aims to Allow Private Medical Institutions to Deliver Babies

By Niginakhon Saida
Child delivery and abortion are among the very few medical procedures that are exclusively conducted by state medical entities. That could change soon.
March 28, 2024

What’s Behind Central Asia’s Umrah Fever?

By Niginakhon Saida
As long as people have limited opportunities in the socioeconomic and political arenas, and adherence to a religious lifestyle is restricted, pilgrimages will remain as an accessible means of self-fulfillment. 

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