Antireligious Propaganda Organization Activities in Soviet Kazakhstan (1929–1941)

Abstract

When it comes to the Soviet government religion policy one can think of the Soviet atheist policy and antireligious attack. Even if the atheism was one of the main ideologies of the communists throughout the Soviet history, the policy of the state in relation to religion, including Islam, was different at each stage. The attack by the Soviet authorities on Islam, which took place between 1929 and 1941, was the most severe. It was the unprecedented Soviet attack against Islam. Along with a direct attack on Islam, the Soviet government intensified its massive anti-religious propaganda during this period. There was an anti-religious agitation organization called the League of Militant Atheists. This research is devoted to the history of the antireligious organization that existed at that time. The work of the League of Militant Atheists is revealed based on propaganda activities carried out in Kazakhstan. Therefore, this topic is relevant. The article reveals the original policy, the principles of Soviet power regarding religion and the reasons for its softness towards Islam in the initial period. The laws of the Soviet state concerning religion, the main positions of the communist party, and consequences of anti-Islamic attack and propaganda regarding religion have also been discussed in this work.