Nurlan Alniyazov

Institute of Oriental Studies, Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan named after R. B. Suleimanov, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Factors influencing the development of Islam in Kazakhstan

The development of contemporary Islam in Kazakhstan is primarily influenced by exterior factors.

There exists in Kazakhstan a multiplicity of Islamic communities that differ ideologically. This variety, to a large extent, is connected with the activity of foreign Muslim organizations that propagandize their interpretations of Islamic dogma and lifestyles. The isolation of these groups, forming separate trends, to varying degrees prevents the formation of a united public institutionalization of religious relations.

A multitude of trends, spread throughout several countries, export their ideas and find adherents in the republics of Central Asia. The diversity of Islam arising in Kazakhstan in many ways is connected to the activity of foreign Muslim organizations. Foreign interpretations of religious dogma, along with their lifestyles, do not always correspond to the character of Kazakh society. This contributes to the formation of isolated groups with their own spiritual leaders and organizational structures and hinders the unity of Muslim community.

As cultural ties were established with Turkey in the 1990s, several traditional Turkish Muslim sects – in particular, the “nurdzhi” – were established in Kazakhstan. The majority of believers are representatives of Turkic-speaking nationalities. The main idea of pan-Turkism, which unites the adherents of this sect, automatically evokes opposition from other Muslim trends in the republic.

Isolated groups that reject and criticize of the rest of Muslim community have also appeared. This is connected with the expansion of Takfir’s ideas. The first supporters of Takfir appeared in Kazakhstan in the middle of 1990s. The group’s adherents called themselves “Khisbu Takfir”, which indicates that they formed the organization.

Pakistani religious organizations successfully conduct missionary activity not only in Kazakhstan, but also throughout greater Central Asia. The main missionary organization in the republic is “Tablih”, whose main spiritual centers are located in Pakistan and India. In its selections of followers, “Tablih” differs from other sects in its marked cosmopolitanism. In spite of the loyalty of “Tablih” to the local traditions and its numerous adherents, the development of this group occurs autonomously within the limits of a single community practically without interaction with other movements.

Facts attest to the presence of other sects and groups – for example, the extremely radical organization “Khizb-ut-takhrir”.

On the basis of the appearance of multitude of separate independent zhaamats, which represent different movements, including the radical, a problem exists: the absence of a unified functioning structure that regulates the activity of the entire Muslim community.

The absence of visible state control and an active policy towards Muslim communities and the contemporary situation of Islam do not evoke serious anxiety, although current religious relations are more or less regulated. Political leadership pays great attention to religious questions in the country, striving to ensure intra-confessional equality. Certain conditions have been created for the development of religious institutes. However, it is necessary to improve legal standards in the regulation of the religious problems.

The attempt to regulate the situation in Kazakhstan’s Muslim community is reflected in a recent law project regarding religion, in which the Muslim Spiritual Board of Kazakhstan represents its full power and has the right to make the decisions belonging solely to the state’s competence. In particular, sub-point 13 of point 3 establishes that the state registration of Islam religious associations is carried out under the recommendation of Muslim Spiritual Board. Point 17 stipulates that the construction and/or opening of Muslim worship buildings proceeds under the permit of the Muslim Spiritual Board. The constitutional board of Kazakhstan has acknowledged some violations of those points.