Religious Situation After Independence in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Kazakhstan has endured the aftermath of the Soviet invasion following the era of Tsarist Russia, negatively impacting the presence of Islam in the country. The repressive policies of the Soviets have squeezed Muslims in this region. With the collapse of the Soviet regime in 1990, a new phase began, marking a new era for Muslims in Kazakhstan. This paper examines the religious life of Kazakhstani Muslims after independence, focusing on the religious services of the Kazakhstan Muslims’ Religious Administration (KMDB), recognized as the Official Representative of Kazakhstani Muslims. For clarity, this institution will be referred to as the Kazakhstan Religious Affairs Presidency or simply KMDB. The institution operates in Kazakhstan, overseeing services in various areas, including universities, madrasas, and mosques. Its goal is to provide services for the Islamic religion as well as propagation and outreach efforts for Islam. To fulfill these services, it has gained accreditation and recognition from the state. In addition to carrying out religious services for Muslims, the Kazakhstan Religious Affairs Presidency strives to counter both social and political operations targeting Muslims. One such operation involves efforts to steer Muslims away from Islam and back towards religious rituals rooted in old Turkic traditions. Kazakhstan has a significant population of Russified Kazakhs, who are a target of these efforts. As an extension of these endeavors, thousands of religious scholars were killed during the Soviet era, and religious literature was destroyed. Today, controlling the Muslim community in religious aspects remains a state policy. Nevertheless, Islam and Muslim identity in Kazakhstan are gradually becoming institutionalized and established. The Kazakhstan Religious Affairs Presidency adapts its religious services to contemporary conditions, utilizing channels such as television, radio, and, notably, social media. The Hanafi tradition takes precedence in religious structure and presentation. Publications in Turkish, Arabic, and Russian have reached significant levels. The Kazakhstani people exhibit a determination to remain committed to Islam and the religious responsibilities inherited from history.