Islam in Kazakhstan
Islam in Kazakhstan refers to the widespread presence and historical trajectory of Islam in the Republic of Kazakhstan, a Central Asian nation situated between Russia, the Caspian Sea, and several other neighboring countries.
Etymology and Linguistic Content
- Arabic: الإسلام في كازاخستان (Al-Islam fi Kazkhastan)
- Turkish: Kazakistan’da İslam
Geographic and Demographic Context
Kazakhstan is bordered by Russia to the north, the Caspian Sea to the west, Turkmenistan to the southwest, Uzbekistan to the south, Kyrgyzstan to the southeast, and China to the east. These geographic proximities have influenced religious and cultural exchanges throughout the centuries.
- Major Ethnic Groups:
- Kazakhs: Roughly 46%
- Russians: Approximately 34.7%
- Other Minorities: Ukrainians, Germans, Uzbeks, Tatars, among others
Religious Demographics
- 47% Muslim: Predominantly Sunni
- 44% Russian Orthodox
- 9% Other Religions
Historical Background
Islam has deep roots in Kazakhstan, with Sunni Islam, especially the Hanafi school, being the dominant tradition. This affiliation is partly due to the efforts of Catherine the Great during the late 18th century to introduce Sunni Islam to pacify the pastoral nomadic Kazakhs.
Sufism and Contemporary Developments
Post-independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Sufi orders such as the Naqshbandi have experienced growth. Soviet atheistic policies severely repressed religious practices but, paradoxically, had a limited effect on rural Islamic traditions.
- Financing and Institutional Revival: Post-independence, the development of mosques and madrassas (religious schools) has been substantially supported by funding from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, alongside contributions from local devotees.
- Religious Freedom: The 1993 constitution upholds freedom of religious practice and explicitly prohibits the establishment of a state religion. However, Islamic holy days are not recognized as state holidays.
Scholars to Explore
- Martha Brill Olcott: For comprehensive overviews on Kazakhstan’s political and religious transformations.
- Yevgeniy Abdullayev: Expert in Central Asian Islam and Sufi movements.
Suggested Books for Further Reading
- “The New Geopolitics of Central Asia and Its Borderlands” by Ali Banuazizi and Myron Weiner - Addresses geopolitical and religious changes in Central Asia.
- “Kazakhstan – Ethnicity, Language and Power” by Bhavna Dave - Examines the ethnic and religious dynamics in Kazakhstan.
- “Islam in Central Asia” by Alexandre Creel - Explores the historical development and current state of Islam in Central Asia.
Takeaways
- Multi-Ethnic Landscape: Kazakhstan represents a multi-ethnic and multi-religious landscape.
- Resilience of Islam: Despite Soviet repression, Islam, including its rural and Sufi practices, has endured and revived.
- Constitutional Protection: Kazakhstan’s constitution ensures a distinct separation of religion and state while protecting the freedom of religious practice.
Conclusion
The presence of Islam in Kazakhstan highlights a mixture of historical perseverance and modern revival, illustrating the intricate relationship between religious identity and national sovereignty in the post-Soviet landscape.
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