Kazakhstan is a modern, secular state promoting ethnic and religious diversity and tolerance. VOA's Valer Gergely reports from Kazakhstan that Islam, Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Jewish and other religions peacefully coexist in the republic. VOA's Carol Pearson tells the story for producer Valer Gergely.
Kazakhstan is home to more than 100 ethnic groups and more than 40 faiths. Ethnic Kazakhs are primarily Sunni Muslims. The Slavic people of the country are traditionally Orthodox Christians. There are many other congregations and also a smaller Jewish community.
Communism advocated the suppression and, ultimately, the elimination of religious beliefs. After the collapse of the U.S.S.R., however, religious beliefs have revived in the newly independent states.
The Cathedral of the Temple of Holy Ascension in Almaty is the main Russian Orthodox Church in Kazakhstan, celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year. The church brings together local and Russian architecture as both Kazakh and Russian people participated in its construction.
Father Alexander is a Russian citizen, serving Kazakhstan's large Russian Orthodox community. He says Kazakhstan has overcome the difficulties of Soviet times when religions barely survived. "Some people are not influenced by religion. They are not believers. They don't go to mosques or churches. But there is another part of the population that would like to return to spiritual values, religion and culture. They may have fathers or grandfathers influencing them. That is why more and more young people come to the churches. "
Father Alexander says the country's many nationalities and religious groups have excellent relations.
"When we talk about multiple religions, we are talking about two great nations, the Kazakhs and the Russians. These two nations have lived together for 300 years. We've lived together, worked together and we both survived difficult times. Our spiritual values connect us. The relationship now is wonderful. If someone tries to sow discord between us, we join together to protect the spiritual values we have nurtured for so many years."
In Kazakhstan, Islam was adopted gradually, with complete conversion in the 19th century. In the early period of the Soviet Union, the government provided some stability for the existence of Islam. Later, however, it considered it conservative and reactionary.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union many Muslims have become involved in spiritual life, says Deputy Imam Mukhtar of the Central Mosque in Almaty. "Seventy-five percent of the population of Kazakhstan is Muslim. I see more and more people involved in religion. About 80 percent of Almaty's population, the largest city in Kazakhstan is made up of young people, who also want to be worshipers. We are happy that religion influences the minds of younger people."
In the last few years, however, various sects or splinter groups have sprung up beside the established creeds and beliefs, causing new security concerns over religious extremism.
"After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many beliefs and creeds came to life in various parts of its former territory, including Kazakhstan. We cannot say for sure that extremism will not come here. It may. This is the reason we should do our best to prevent that kind of propaganda and anti-religious activities that may come from some small sects or groups" says Deputy Imam Mukhtar.
Father Alexander, adds. "Sects are very dangerous for any country, because they try sow discord among people. Turning people against a religion is very dangerous. I grew up among Muslim people and I know that peace between these two religions is very important."
Kazakhstan has a small Jewish community that is well organized and there have been no recent reports of anti-Semitism. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, these communities openly practice their religion in Kazakhstan, says Judas Kubalkin, Chief Rabbi of Astana. "The government gives us full freedom to practice our religion. We don't have many contacts with other religions. Usually we meet at national events. But we treat each other respectfully and we have very good human contacts."
Since its independence, Kazakhstan has hosted two international conferences that brought together secular and religious leaders to highlight religious freedom in Kazakhstan. Rabbi Kubalkin says, "The fact that these congresses were held here, and people of different nationalities and religions were able to express their views and dreams, is exemplary. It shows that if we have the will, we can live together peacefully."
Many people of the young generation, such as university student Serik Duisenbaev, look at their religion as their culture. "From the bottom of my heart I believe that there is an almighty God who created everything. But I don't pray five times a day because I know what is allowed and what is not. I am not disturbing, not robbing, not killing anyone, I am not trying to lie or cheat."
The 24-year-old Duisenbaev recently worked as an interpreter for an Israeli company in Kazakhstan. His boss invited him to visit Israel where he received a Bible. "On the way back, when I was reading this Bible on the train, I had some problem with one of the old Kazakh ladies. She was totally shocked when she saw me reading the Bible. She said this is a book of Jews, why I am reading it, I should read the Koran. For me the Koran may be the book of Allah and Islam, but all the rest is the same. It's just the history of people. I just want to learn more, so I am reading the Bible and the Koran too."
Kazakhstan has had no religious or ethnic conflicts on its territory since its independence, an exception in the region.
