DOI:
Keywords
Islam, Multi-Confessional Space, Kazakhstan, Tolerance, Dialogue of Religions
The article analyzes the possibilities of the dialogical discourse of Islam in a multi-confessional society. This is especially relevant in the context of the increasing number of Muslim believers around the world and in Kazakhstan. Despite the fact that most Kazakhstanis consider themselves Muslims, there is a fairly large confessional palette in the country, in connection with which a secular, democratic state undertakes the obligation to ensure equal rights for representatives of all its citizens, regardless of ethnicity, religious affiliation. Therefore, interfaith dialogue is not only about the relationship between religious representatives, it is also a safe, conscious, tolerant, sustainable civil society. Islam, in this case, as the dominant religion in Kazakhstani society, should be focused on maintaining interfaith dialogue and stability in the country. In general, sociological measurements periodically conducted to determine public opinion in the field of interfaith relations and support for state policy of interfaith dialogue and tolerance, show positive assessments and a high level on the part of the population. However, both radical Islamic views and Islamophobic citizens of Kazakhstani society may display intolerant narratives or behavior, which may negatively affect the stable development of the state. In this regard, the study and popularization of Islamic dialogic discourse is an important mechanism for maintaining harmonious relations in the interfaith sphere.