14 July 2011 | 13:54

Muslims want to ban salafis from Kazakhstan

Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SDMK) says that “Salafiyyah” has become one of the dangerous religious trends in Kazakhstan, Interfax-Kazakhstan reports. “This is one of the trends that needs to be banned,” press-secretary of SDMK Ongar Kazhy Omirbek said. According to him, spreading of salafis activities in Kazakhstan has become possible because of the mild religion laws in the country in combination with active preaching of missionaries from Arabic countries. Omirbek said that two religious facilities training salafis have been closed recently. “There is also a Saudi Arabian cultural center in Almaty, where a lot of young people go. We have been unable to close it down so far,” the press-secretary said. He said “Salafiyyah” trend is especially wide spread in the western areas of Kazakhstan: in Atyrau, Mangistau and Aktobe oblasts. Salafi missionaries from Arabic countries and Iran have been flocking to these regions. They have managed to influence the locals. But our authorities have not been paying attention to this.” According to Omirbek, SDMK initiated amendments to the Religions Law, to ban all the Islamic trends except for Hanafiyah from Kazakhstan. He hopes that the amendments will be approved this year.

Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SDMK) says that “Salafiyyah” has become one of the dangerous religious trends in Kazakhstan, Interfax-Kazakhstan reports. “This is one of the trends that needs to be banned,” press-secretary of SDMK Ongar Kazhy Omirbek said. According to him, spreading of salafis activities in Kazakhstan has become possible because of the mild religion laws in the country in combination with active preaching of missionaries from Arabic countries. Omirbek said that two religious facilities training salafis have been closed recently. “There is also a Saudi Arabian cultural center in Almaty, where a lot of young people go. We have been unable to close it down so far,” the press-secretary said. He said “Salafiyyah” trend is especially wide spread in the western areas of Kazakhstan: in Atyrau, Mangistau and Aktobe oblasts. Salafi missionaries from Arabic countries and Iran have been flocking to these regions. They have managed to influence the locals. But our authorities have not been paying attention to this.” According to Omirbek, SDMK initiated amendments to the Religions Law, to ban all the Islamic trends except for Hanafiyah from Kazakhstan. He hopes that the amendments will be approved this year.

religion Kazakhstan Kazakh Islam