Publishing as a Tool for the Formation and Accumulation of Symbolic Capital in Russia
Izdavaštvo kao instrument stvaranja i akumulacije simboličkog kapitala u Rusiji

izdavačka kuća Medina Publishing

Summary/Abstract: Medina Publishing is one of the oldest and largest Islamic publishers in Russia in termsof volume. This article examines its evolution from a project publishing work on localhistory and the Nizhny Novgorod Tatars to a publisher of modern theological literaturewritten by representatives of the Renovationist movement. Medina characteristically distributes most of its books, newspapers, and magazines free. Its core aims areeducational, image-building, and ideological in nature. This article looks at Medina’srole as a tool for the formation and accumulation of symbolic capital by one of Russia’sIslamic religious organisations (muftiates), the Spiritual Administration of Muslims ofthe Russian Federation (DUM RF). The author notes Medina’s unique position in the Russian publishing market as a publisher focused on literature for the educated readerwith special knowledge in the fields of religious studies, philology, etc. Medina’s publications encourage readers to believe that the centre of Islamic theological thought inRussia is at DUM RF, legitimating the claims of the muftiate and its leader to spiritual leadership of the Russian ummah. Both DUM RF and Medina focus their effortson building the profile of intellectuals as people government officials, as those whosedecisions govern the fate of religious associations in Russia, can work with rather thanas representatives of an alien, incomprehensible, and hostile force (which is how bureaucratsin Russia have viewed Islam for centuries).

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