Galiyev, Sultan Mir Said
Overview
Galiyev, Sultan Mir Said (ca. 1882–1930) was a Tatar Muslim Communist intellectual from the Volga region who sought to reinterpret Marxist Communism to fit the Muslim context during and after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. His philosophy, known as Sultangaliyevism, articulated a unique synthesis of national and proletarian struggles.
Revolutionary Contributions
Practical Doctrine for Mobilization
Galiyev viewed Communism as a practical doctrine for organizing underground movements, educating and agitating the masses, and articulating national rights, thereby gaining political support. He championed the revolutionary national government as a necessary precursor to the eventual establishment of proletarian rule, contrasting sharply with the mainstream Communist focus on class struggle.
Redefining the Proletariat
Galiyev declared all Muslims oppressed under colonialist governments and hence identified them as inherent proletarians. This significant reinterpretation allowed for a broader mobilization of Muslim communities under the Communist banner without strictly adhering to conventional Marxist class distinctions.
Expulsion and Persecution
Galiyev faced expulsion from the Communist Party in 1923 due to what were labeled deviations from the party line. His innovative ideas and national focus ultimately made him a target for the Stalinist regime. He was subsequently imprisoned, exiled, and disappeared around 1930, his ultimate fate shrouded in mystery.
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: سلطان مير سعيد غالييف (Sultân Mîr Saʿîd Ghaliyf)
- Turkish: Sultan Mir Seyid-Galiev
Suggested Books for Further Study
- “Islamic Thought in the Soviet Union” by Alexandre A. Bennigsen and S. Enders Wimbush
- “Soviet Central Asia: The Failed Transformation” by Wladimir Andreff
- “The Bolsheviks and Islam” by Geoffrey Wheeler
Key Takeaways
- Innovative Synthesis: Galiyev’s Sultangaliyevism bridged the gap between Communist ideology and Muslim nationalist sentiments.
- Non-Class-Based Proletariat Concept: He expanded the definition of proletarians to include Muslims oppressed by colonial regimes, allowing for mass mobilization.
- Legacy and Persecution: His ideas, while influential, led to severe persecution under the Soviet regime, illustrating the inherent challenges faced by ideological dissidents.
Conclusion
Sultan Mir Said Galiyev remains a significant yet often overlooked figure in the intertwining history of Communism and Islamic intellectual thought. Through his reinterpretation of Marxism, he provided a compelling framework to integrate Muslim struggles into the broader revolutionary wave, despite severe personal repercussions. Galiyev’s life and work serve as poignant reminders of the complexities and perils inherent in ideological innovation.
This concludes a structured and expanded dictionary entry for “Galiyev, Sultan Mir Said”.
