Multiple Religious Identities of Kazakhs in Contemporary Kazakhstan: between Islam and Traditional Cultural Heritage
DOI:
10.48010/3nm4aq14Keywords
Multiple Religious Identities, Contemporary Kazakhstan, Islam, Traditional Cultural Heritage, Tengrism, Tradition.
Abstract
This academic article analyzes contemporary public discourse in Kazakhstan regarding the role of Islam in shaping Kazakh identity. Based on an analysis of socially significant information cases from recent years, it examines the main lines of debate arising among the Kazakh population on religious issues. The main debates revolve around the use of Islamic terminology in everyday speech, the wearing of religious attire, the activities of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, and attitudes toward the concept of “childfree” living and polygamy, as well as public statements by religious figures and internet users that have sparked widespread public reaction. It is shown that discussions of these issues extend far beyond religious matters and touch upon a broader range of topics, such as language, traditional culture, family values, women’s rights, the limits of freedom of expression, and the principles of a secular state.
Based on an analysis of public discourse, a tentative typology of the worldviews held by members of contemporary Kazakh society regarding Islam and its role in the structure of national identity is proposed. It is concluded that Kazakh society is characterized by a wide spectrum of views, ranging from religious fundamentalism to pronounced secularism, with the boundaries between them remaining fluid and dependent on the specific subject and topic of public debate. It is shown that the ongoing debates surrounding the role of Islam reflect the process of rethinking national identity in the context of post-Soviet transformation and the search for a balance between Islamic heritage, traditional Kazakh culture, and the values of a secular state.
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References
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