Religious governance in urbanizing Kazakhstan: State policy amid social change
This article examines the current state of relations between the State of Kazakhstan and religious organizations and explores the prospects for their future development. The authors conduct a comprehensive analysis of the legislative framework, state religious policy, and findings from sociological studies on the religiosity of the population to identify key trends and challenges facing the country. The study addresses key issues within state-confessional relations, including the influence of secular principles, the protection of freedom of conscience, and the state’s approach to countering religious extremism. In addition, the article provides a comparative analysis of Kazakhstan’s policies with those of neighboring countries, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, highlighting best practices and recommending potential improvements to enhance state-religious collaboration. The study concludes by proposing scenarios for the future of state-religion relations in Kazakhstan, emphasizing the need for balanced policies that safeguard religious freedom while addressing security concerns.
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