State of peace and harmony in Central Asia

Visiting periodically one of the countries of Central Asia and seeing on the streets people of different nationalities of religions calmly strolling in parks and squares, a feeling of peace and tranquility is created. This is the result of a correct and balanced policy in the field of interethnic and interfaith relations of the leaders of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan is a multi-confessional country, where all the necessary conditions have been created for the peaceful coexistence of religious associations and the realization by every citizen of the right to freedom of religions.

According to the current Constitution of the Republic, legal equality is granted to all citizens of the country, regardless of their national or religious affiliation. The culture and spiritual heritage of all ethnic groups in Kazakhstan is considered as a national treasure, as well as the basis of a political and economic stability. 

It is noticeable to the naked eye that in Kazakhstan over the years of independence, the number of religious associations has increased several times, as well as the number of believers. a These processes were the result of a policy aimed at ensuring spiritual revival, the preservation and strengthening of civil society and interethnic harmony.

If deepen, in the current legislation, then an opinion is created that a legal field has been created in the state that regulates issues of religion and belief. In particular, the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On freedom of religion and associations” adopted in 1992, which guarantees broad rights and freedoms of activity for believers of different confessions.

In addition, according to the Law of October 11, 2011 "On Religious Activities and Religious Associations", republican and regional religious associations have the right to open spiritual educational organizations that implement the Curriculum of the clergy. Training Currently, according to Open Source data, vocational religious education is provided by Islamic and traditional Christian schools. Thus, Orthodox education can be obtained at the Almaty Theological Seminary, Catholic education is provided by the Interdiocesan Higher Theological Seminary "Mary - Mother of the Church". The Egyptian University of Islamic Culture "Nur-Mubarak" can be attributed to educational institutions of the Islamic direction, and the Institute also, to improve the qualifications of Islamic imams. various regions of Kazakhstan have madrasah colleges.

It should be noted that the religious education system in the country is not limited to the above educational institutions. On the basis of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan there are various courses and training centers. 

In order to strengthen interethnic interfaith harmony, as well as rapprochement of religions and cultures of different peoples, every three years Kazakhstan hosts a congress of leaders of world traditional religions. and The declared purpose of the events is to search for universal landmarks in the world's traditional forms of religions and the functioning of a permanent interfaith Institute for the implementation of a dialogue of religions, as well as the adoption of agreed decisions.

The heads of the largest confessions of the world, the heads of the largest well-known politicians, representatives of a number of international organizations become participants in interreligious Forums. For the comfortable holding of these events, the Palace of Peace and Accord was built in the capital of Kazakhstan. In order to establish a dialogue between various confessions, the Government of Kazakhstan has a Council for Relations with Religious Associations, which includes the heads of the represented religions. Thus, we can conclude that Kazakhstan is not only a home for representatives of various religions, but has also become an international platform for mutual Achievement of respect for tolerance between religions, confessions, nations and ethnic groups.

Anuar Azimov

Public Foundation “Center for Political and Social Research”, Almaty