Kazakhstan - a country with a very old and interesting religious history.It crosses many religions, some of them - are very ancient.Religion in Kazakhstan has a deep past, and it is worth a look.
pre-Islamic period
Long before Islam came to Kazakhstan, this was spread Tengriism.This belief was regarded as the supreme god Tengri.This name was called, and other deities, but data on them almost did not survive.
essence of this faith is to divide the world into three spaces: the heaven and on earth and underground.Natural phenomena, the elements have their own interpretation.This religion was in Kazakhstan and regional features.Southern residents believed in the sanctity of the caves.One of them, for example, a woman went to treat infertility.In the East of the country appoints the heads of the saints related groups.
Kazakhstan to Islam also prevailed shamanism.High Shaman rituals conducted by contacting the spirits of ancestors.These sessions are supposed to help him heal people, find lost animals, and even control nature.
advent of Islam Islam for more than one century penetrated into Kazakhstan.Religion, covering first south of the country, at the end of the tenth century, spread widely in the Seven Rivers and the coast of the Syr Darya.However, some regions professed Christianity (Nestorian), came here in the XII-XIII centuries with Naiman.
For a period of the development of Islam in Kazakhstan has been suspended due to the conquest of the territory of Mongolia.Turkic and Mongol tribes while adheres to traditional faiths.This trend continued during the period, Berke Khan of the Golden Horde, further strengthened its Uzbek Khan.Muslim Sufis had to take their religion in the steppe.But soon the missionaries have received the leaders of the nomads location.
Every year the Muslim religion in Kazakhstan strengthened their positions.There is a lot of mosques are often built at the expense of private investments.Deep introduction of Sharia law in the life of Kazakhs took place during the reign of the sultan Aryn-Gaza.
XIX century was marked by the influence of the steppe Tatars, who were often the mullahs and fulfill an educational function, contributed to the development of culture and literacy.Later among Muslim Kazakhs appear modernist direction - Jadidism that promotes secular education of science and education in general.
current situation
So, what religion in Kazakhstan today?Currently, the Republic is polikonfissionalnoy.Here there are more than 3,000 religious associations.40 denominations represented in more than 2,500 places of worship.
main religion in Kazakhstan - Sunni Islam.There were more than 1,600 Muslim associations, built more than a thousand mosques.The number of inhabitants of the country, Muslim, reaching almost 9 million, and this category is multinational.
second place in the number of believers are Orthodox Christianity takes its share of almost 30%.In addition, Kazakhstan is home to over 300 thousand Catholics with a solid infrastructure.
But that's not all religions in Kazakhstan.Among citizens, there are many Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, etc.After independence, there was built the first Buddhist temple, erected a large number of new mosques, churches, churches, chapels, synagogues.
famous religious buildings
splendid buildings of different faiths for its architecture decorate the city of the republic, increasing its tourist appeal.Among the most famous:
1. Peace and Accord Palace
2. Nur-Astana Mosque
3. synagogue Beit Rachel - Habbad Lubavitch
4. Holy Ascension Cathedral
5. Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Nur-Astana -the largest mosque in Central Asia, and the synagogue Beit Rachel - Habbad Lubavitch, respectively - the largest synagogue in the region.
Those who have ever been in this exotic country, known as multinational Kazakhstan.Religion and its freedom of choice - one of the rights of citizens, which are effectively implemented.Tolerance and mutual respect in relations between faiths - the best way for the harmonious development of society.
