Religion in Kazakhstan: a look into the past, realities

Kazakhstan is a country with a very ancient and interesting religious history. Many religions crossed here, some of them very old. Religion in Kazakhstan has a deep past, and it is worth a look.

Pre-Islamic period

Long before Islam came to Kazakhstan, Tengrians were widespread here. In this belief, the supreme god was Tengri. This name was also used for other deities, but data about them were almost not preserved.

The essence of this faith was the division of the world into three spaces: heavenly, earthly and underground. Natural phenomena, the elements had their own interpretation. This religion in Kazakhstan also had regional characteristics. The southern inhabitants believed in the sanctity of the caves. In one of them, for example, women went to treat infertility. In the East, the countries of the saints were appointed heads of related groups.

Shamanism also dominated Islam in Kazakhstan. The Supreme Shaman conducted rituals, communicating with the spirits of ancestors. Such sessions allegedly helped him heal people, find lost cattle and even manage nature.

The coming of Islam

Muslims penetrated into Kazakhstan for more than one century. Religion, having embraced the South of the country, spread to the Seven Rivers and the Syr Darya coasts at the end of the 10th century. However, part of the regions professed Christianity (Nestorianism), which came here in the 12th-13th centuries with naimans.

For some time, the development of Islam in Kazakhstan was halted because of the conquest of territories by the Mongols. At that time, the Turkic and Mongolian tribes adhered to traditional religions. This trend was preserved under the Khan Burke during the Golden Horde, and was further strengthened by Khan Uzbek. Sufi Muslims had to take their religion to the steppes. But soon the missionaries were given the location of the leaders of the nomads.

Every year the Muslim religion in Kazakhstan strengthened its positions. Many mosques appeared, often built at the expense of private investments. Deep implementation of Sharia law in the life of Kazakhs occurred during the reign of Sultan Aryn-Gaza.

The XIX century was marked by the influence of steppe Tatars, who often became mullahs and performed educational functions, contributed to the development of culture and literacy. Later, among Muslim Kazakhs, a modernist trend is emerging - Jadidism, which promotes secular education and education in general.

Current situation

So, what kind of religion is in Kazakhstan today? At present, this republic is poly-confessional. There are more than 3,000 religious associations. 40 denominations are represented by more than 2500 religious buildings.

The main religion in Kazakhstan is Sunni Islam. There are over 1600 Muslim associations, more than 1,500 mosques have been built. The number of residents of the country professing Islam reaches almost 9 million, and this category is multinational.

Second place in terms of the number of believers here is Orthodox Christianity, its share is almost 30%. In addition, there are more than 300,000 Catholics in Kazakhstan with a solid infrastructure.

But this is not all religions in Kazakhstan. Among the citizens there are many Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, etc. After attaining independence, the first Buddhist temple was built here, a large number of new mosques, churches, churches, prayer houses, synagogues were built.

Famous religious buildings

Magnificent buildings of various religious trends with their architecture adorn the cities of the republic, increasing its tourist appeal. Among the most famous:
1. The Palace of Peace and Harmony
2. The mosque of Nur-Astana
3. Beit Rachel Synagogue - Habbad Lubavitch
4. Holy Ascension Cathedral
5. The Cathedral of the Mother of God Relentless Help

Nur-Astana is the largest mosque in Central Asia, and the Beit Rachel-Habbad Lubavitch Synagogue, respectively, is the largest synagogue in this region.

Those who have ever been to this exotic country know how multinational Kazakhstan is. Religion and freedom of its choice are one of the rights of citizens, which are effectively realized here. Tolerance and mutual respect in the relations of confessions is the best way to harmonious development of society.