Features of the Islamic revival in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Kazakhstan is a predominantly Muslim country, where, according to estimates, 70 % of the population identify themselves as Muslims. However, the Muslim population was not always satisfied with the country's religious policy, especially during the Soviet era, when religious practice was severely restricted, and many religious places and mosques were destroyed or stopped their activities. With the acquisition of independence in Kazakhstan, a process is observed, which is called the “revival” of Islam. The revival of Islam in Kazakhstan can be traced back to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then, there has been a growing interest in Islam among the population, and many new mosques and Islamic institutes have been established. Despite the growth of Islamic practice in Kazakhstan, the country has preserved a secular political system with a strong emphasis on the separation of religion from the state. In this article we will consider the features of the “Islamic” revival in the years of independence of our country, as well as the policy of our country to address this problem.