Some Aspects of Islam and Relics of Pre-Islamic Worldview Traditions Among the Kazakhs (Based on the Field Ethnographic Data)

The aim of the study is the modern processes in the ethno-confessional and ethno-cultural life of the population of villages and cities of different administrative status in the new socioeconomic conditions in Kazakhstan. The study uses methods of field ethnographic research, participant observation, ethnographic survey, interviewing, comparative analysis, discourse analysis, and a prognostic method. Religious institutions and religious schools have been examined. The results of the study show that in the present period, compared to previous years, there is no construction boom in the sphere of religious institutions (mosques, madrasas) in the studied regions. In Kazakhstan, construction of new mosques continues at the expense of foundations, patrons of art, local entrepreneurs, donations of parishioners. New trends in the religious sphere have been revealed: new mosques are built in the traditions of Islamic religious architecture, which absorbed elements of ethnic culture. Modern mosques have halls (canteens) for ritual meals: the Karaganda mosque, for example, has two halls; the Mashhur Zhusip mosque in Pavlodar has three halls. The new Almaty mosque Baiken has an underground parking for 2,500 lots, which on days of religious holidays serves as an additional prayer hall. The author comes to the conclusion that, in recent years, there has been a tendency of active interaction of mosques with the local ethnic environment. Everywhere, mosques hold events for the implementation of the Religion and Tradition programme initiated by the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Kazakhstan. The programme is designed to promote the traditions of Islam of the Hanafi madhhab in Kazakhstan, which for centuries has interacted with the local ethnic culture of the Kazakhs. Forms of interaction between the state and religion in the educational sphere have been identified. At present, a number of Kazakhstan madrasas are equated to state colleges and are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. One of the new trends is the presence of modern Islamic ministers of not only religious education, but also of secular one. Currently, the Spiritual Board of the Muslims of Kazakhstan has developed a programme to counter religious radicalism. It includes the legal prohibition of radical movements; educational work in educational institutions, the promotion of the history of Islam and Islamic culture in Central Asia.

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