러시아ㆍ유라시아

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Today there are increasing numbers of Muslim immigrant communities around the world. In the same vein, Muslim community in Korea is also growing fast, reaching up to over 100,000 in 2008. Truly, since the new millenium, there are increasing numbers of foreign immigrants in Korean Society. Recently, multi-cultural Korean society is the fastest growing debate in the Korean society. However, there is a big lackness that deals on the muslim community or immigrant in Korea. Thus, after outlining the muslim communities in Korea, this articles goes on to survey the Central Asian muslim communities in Korea and explains the peculiarity of the Central Asian muslims in Korea. Based on fieldwork among Kazak, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, Azeri, Tajik Muslim communities in Korea, this article examines the present state and social network of the Central Asian Muslim immigrants in Korea. It investigates not only the general situation of the Central Asian Muslims in Korea but also explores their adaptation and attitude toward the Korean community. While explaining their adaptation process in Korea, this article shows how the Central Asian Muslims broke cliche´s and common stereotypes about Muslims. Their openness and flexibility toward Islam made them a successful adapter in the Korean society. Their such peculiarities challenge the monolithic perception of Muslims in Korea and show various types of Muslim communities.