Kazakhstan does not have enough theology experts

Draft law On religious activities and religious institutions was presented to lower chamber of Kazakhstan Parliament (Majilis) on September 8, Tengrinews.kz reports. Among other issues the document introduces special check-ups for religious organizations. Majilis deputy Vladimir Nekhoroshev asked Chairman of Kazakhstan's Agency for Religion if there are experts in Kazakhstan, who can perform these theological check-up. Kairat Lama Sharif replied that there are not enough of such experts in Kazakhstan, explaining that that they there hasn't been much demand for them for a long time. He noted that introduction of government-sponsored educational grants under Theology major is currently being considered. According to Kairat Lama Sharif, this will help educate new theology experts within 5-10 years. The legislation stipulates new requirements to religious institutions and organizations. For example, it is suggested that religious institutions in Kazakhstan will be able to have a status of local, regional and national. Local organizations will have to have 50 Kazakhstan residents confessing one belief, regional institutions will have not less than 500 members, and national ones will have a parish of at least 5 thousand people.