On April 28, 2022, L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University together with the N.Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Intercivilizational Dialogue held an international scientific and practical conference: "Religious Studies in Kazakhstan in the context of world Religious Studies: the path traveled, traditions, development trends", dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the opening of the specialty "Religious Studies" and dedicated to the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
The conference was held in a hybrid format with the participation of representatives of government agencies, expert structures, the general academic community, including Kazakhstani and foreign scientists.
Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences B.Somzhurek, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the N.Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Intercivilizational Dialogue D.Yesenova, Representatives of the spiritual administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, Head of the Department for the Coordination of the Prevention of Religious Extremism in the Internet space Zh.Doliev, Professor of Al-Farabi KazNU N.Baitenov, representative of the Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRSICA, Turkey) A.Muminov.
The special significance of the conference was given by the section: "Kazakhstan model of interethnic and interfaith harmony". It should be noted that over the years of independence, Kazakhstan has created a unique Kazakh model of interethnic and interfaith harmony, where representatives of 130 ethnic groups and 18 confessions live, has been recognized all over the world. Peace and tranquility, civil harmony, religious tolerance, equal participation of representatives of different cultures in the life of society - these principles have formed the basis of our national policy over the years of independence of the state and have provided a distinctive feature of Kazakhstan in the world community. In this regard, there was a need for the functioning of a permanent international interfaith institute for the dialogue of religions and the adoption of coordinated decisions.
This institution is the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which has become a major foreign policy achievement of Kazakhstan for 30 years of Independence. This forum, convened on the initiative of Kazakhstan every three years in Nursultan, continues to play an important role in the unity of cultures and civilizations in the modern world. Moreover, it serves as an additional support for interfaith harmony within the country and contributes to a universal understanding of the peaceful nature of religions.
The section was attended by Archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Metropolitan District in Kazakhstan D.Baydek, press secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Kazakhstan P.Pytlovany, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kazakhstan Zh.Batenov, representatives of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan S.Seitbekov, G.Zhadiruly, political scientist R.Zhumaly and other experts. The speakers noted that it is necessary to further develop and strengthen the Kazakh model through the implementation of balanced state-confessional relations and the promotion of interreligious dialogue.
Great interest among the conference participants was aroused by the section "Restoring the memory of the repressed clergy and laity. Religious practices under the domination of "scientific atheism". As you know, Kazakhstan became a place of trials, suffering and sacrificial religious service for believers of different religions during the Soviet era. For Kazakhstan as a multiethnic and multi-confessional country, the actualization of the memory of representatives of different religions who were repressed during the Soviet period and served their sentences in correctional labor camps (ICT) located in the Kazakh steppes is of particular importance. Restoring the memory of the repressed clergy is a significant contribution to strengthening the Kazakh model of interethnic and interfaith harmony. Representatives of the working group on the rehabilitation of the clergy of the State Commission for the Complete Rehabilitation of Victims of Political Repression, Professor D.Kenzhetaev and Professor Yu.Shapoval, Master D.Sayynov. The unique material in their speeches was presented by a local historian from Aktobe Zh .Abdullina, as well as associate professor of philosophy D.Tolgambayeva.
Topical issues of religious studies education, conceptual foundations of religious studies, religious expertise, politicization of religion, mediatization of religion, gender and religion were discussed at the section "Actual problems of modern religious studies". The participants of the section in their speeches showed that religion is a part of society, and, therefore, reacts to all social, political, technological changes of our time, which needs scientific research, analysis and forecasting.
Teachers and students of the Department of Religious Studies of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, who spoke at the conference, emphasized that Kazakh religious studies is part of world religious studies, and the purpose of the department is to further internalize religious studies education with a focus on world experience.
