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The town of Turkestan in Kazakhstan has become a spot of attraction of Muslims due to philosopher, preacher and Sufi poet Khoja Yasawi. A mausoleum has been built over the tomb of this saint by order of Amir Timur. It is still the place of worship for Muslims not only from Kazakhstan, but also from all over the world. (more…)

On April 10, 2024, several thousand people gathered in the central mosque of Almaty, the largest metropolitan city of the republic, to pray at one of the most important holidays of the Muslims, Oraza Ait. (more…)

“The attempt of radical neophytes to fob off foreign religious ideals on the society, including in the form of the archaic attire, is a blatant challenge to our traditional principles and values.” This is what the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev said at the National Kurultai (assembly). Who was the message addressed to and what does it mean for the social and economic life of the country? (more…)

The meaning of religion for residents of Kazakhstan is changing: there are more people with religious views. This is evidenced by the World Values Survey programme, which was used for two surveys in Kazakhstan – in 2011 and 2018. (more…)

The religious sphere of Kazakhstan is very politicised and always causes a lot of discussions in public space. Highly qualified staff is needed to shape adequate policy solutions in such a sensitive sphere as religion, which, in turn, depends on the education provided by universities teaching future religious scholars. (more…)

In 2021, an underground room was found during the restoration of the Holy Kazan cathedral, the oldest church of Almaty. According to priests, orthodox Christians used to pray there secretly during Stalin’s repressions, when all religions were prohibited. The premise was restored and now it is the only cave temple in Kazakhstan.
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In Kazakhstan, participants of discussions often turn to religion for arguments when discussing clothing, behaviour and similar phenomena either tabooed or allowed by religion. They say that traditional religious views of their ancestors allowed this and did not allow that, and descendants must follow the same path. (more…)

“Travel agency principal who deceived pilgrims was detained.” “Scammers deceive about 50 pilgrims from Almaty and Shymkent.” “Tokayev demands to punish those who deceived Kazakhstanis who went to Mecca for hajj.” These are the headlines of Kazakhstan media during the pilgrimage of Muslims to holy places. CABAR.asia figures out why there are problems related to hajj. (more…)

Religious leaders, particular persons preaching religious values use social media to communicate with the audience. How to identify those ‘digital preachers’ who aim for destruction? (more…)

Some commentators on social media justify the homicide of Saltanat Nukenova, wife of ex-head of the ministry of national economy of Kazakhstan, by religion. CABAR.asia asked experts if religion truly justifies abuse of women. (more…)