Kazakhstan is a country with a very ancient and interestingreligious history. Many religions crossed here, some of them very ancient. Religion in Kazakhstan has a deep past, and it is worth looking into it.
Pre-islamic period
Long before Islam came to Kazakhstan,Tengriism was spread here. In this belief, Tengri was considered the supreme god. Other deities were also called by this name, but the data about them was almost not preserved.
The essence of this faith was to divide the world intothree spaces: heavenly, earthly and underground. Natural phenomena, elements had their interpretation. This religion in Kazakhstan had regional features. The southern inhabitants believed in the sanctity of the caves. In one of them, for example, women went to treat infertility. In the east of the country, the saints were appointed heads of related groups.
In Kazakhstan to Islam alsodominated by shamanism. The supreme shaman performed rituals by contacting ancestral spirits. Such sessions allegedly helped him to heal people, find lost livestock and even manage nature.
The arrival of Islam
Islam for more than one century penetratedto Kazakhstan. Religion, having covered first the South of the country, already at the end of the tenth century, spread widely to Semirechye and on the coasts of the Syr Darya. However, part of the regions professed Christianity (Nestorianism), which came here in the XII-XIII centuries with the Naimans.
For some time the development of Islam in KazakhstanIt was suspended due to the conquest of territory by the Mongols. The Turkic and Mongolian tribes at that time adhered to traditional religions. This trend persisted under Khan Burke during the Golden Horde period, which was further strengthened by Khan Uzbek. Sufi Muslims had to carry their religion to the steppe. But soon the missionaries were honored with the location of the leaders of the nomads.
Every year the Muslim religion in Kazakhstanstrengthened its position. There were many mosques, often built by private investment. The deep introduction of Sharia law into the life of the Kazakhs took place during the rule of Sultan Aryn-Gaza.
The XIX century was marked by the influence of the steppeTatars, who often became mullahs and performed an educational function, contributed to the development of culture and literacy. Later, among the Muslims of the Kazakhs, a modernist trend appears - Jadidism, which promotes the teaching of secular sciences and education in general.
Current situation
So, what is the religion in Kazakhstan today?Currently, this Republic is multi-fiscal. There are more than 3,000 religious associations here. 40 denominations are represented by more than 2,500 places of worship.
The main religion in Kazakhstan is Sunni Islam.directions. There are more than 1,600 Muslim associations, more than 1,500 mosques have been built. The number of Muslims in the country reaches almost 9 million, and this category is multinational.
The second largest number of believers here is Orthodox Christianity, its share is almost 30%. In addition, more than 300 thousand Catholics with a solid infrastructure live in Kazakhstan.
But this is not all religions in Kazakhstan.There are many Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, etc. among the citizens. After independence, the first Buddhist temple was built here, a large number of new mosques, churches, churches, prayer houses, synagogues were erected.
Famous religious buildings
Magnificent buildings of various religious styles adorn the cities of the republic with their architecture, increasing its tourist attractiveness. Among the most famous:
1. Palace of Peace and Accord
2. Mosque Nur-Astana
3. Beit Rachel Synagogue - Habbad Lubavitch
4. Holy Ascension Cathedral
5. Cathedral of the Mother of God of Perpetual Help
Nur-Astana is the largest mosque in Central Asia, and the Beit Rachel Synagogue is Habbad Lubavich, respectively, the largest synagogue in this region.
Those who have ever been in this exoticcountry, they know how multinational Kazakhstan is. Religion and the freedom to choose it is one of the rights of citizens, which is effectively implemented here. Tolerance and mutual respect in the relations of confessions is the best way for the harmonious development of society.
