They are known as otins and they are Uzbek female preachers who are traditionally present at all major cradle-to-grave ritual ceremonies, from births and weddings to funerals.
According to a recent report in Uznews, an independent news portal in Uzbekistan, these female preachers are gaining influence with women across the country. But public opinion on the role of otins remains divided: some believe the self-proclaimed preachers are exploiting Islamic traditions to make money, while others believe they represent a form of Islam for the people.
Whatever the case may be, most family rituals are not complete without an otin present, reports Uznews. In an interview, Mukkadam Ibragimova, a 65-year-old otin, says she spends most of the time reading the Koran to the gathered women, explaining certain parts and giving them guidance.
Mukkadam, who worked as a nurse at a children’s hospital for 30 years, turned to religion after she survived a serious illness. She says her prayers were heard and this is why she decided to devote the rest of her life to serving God.
“Once upon a time there was a TV programme teaching the Arabic alphabet, so I remembered it since then,” Mukkadam told Uznews. “So I took up the Koran and carefully read every single letter. Then I had instructions from a prominent preacher.”
In her book titled Between the Slogans and Islamic Law, Marfua Tohtahajaeva, a women’s studies researcher of post-Soviet Uzbekistan, describes otins as bearers of tradition. “The freedom of religion in our country is guaranteed by the government so they use it. We are witnessing tendencies of society becoming more traditional and religious. These processes are in place and it is unlikely that we can somehow stop them,” she said.