Religious Freedom in Kazakhstan

Agency for Religious Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Religious organisations
in the Republic of Kazakhstan
Astana, November 2012
The English version of this publication was made with the assistance of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Astana

Within a year from adoption of this Law religious
associations shall make relevant revisions to their foundation
documents to comply with this Law. Simultaneously,
documents confirming the status of a religious association
shall be provided to the registering agency.
Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Religious Activity and
Religious Associations” dated 11th October 2011
2

According to the Law religious association and other legal
entities serving religious interests and needs shall make relevant
revisions to their foundation documents within a year from the
date this Law was adopted.
3

Upon expiry of the above indicated period legal entities that
failed to bring their foundation documents in compliance with this
Law shall be liquidated through a judicial procedure upon request of
the agency responsible for state registration of religious
associations.
4

A religious association shall be founded at the initiative of the
citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan aged 18 or more after having
held a foundation meeting (congress, conference) resulting in a
decision to start a religious association with organizational name,
regulations and board identified. Such citizens shall attend the
foundation meeting (congress, conference) in person at their own
free will.
5

A religious association shall have the following characteristics:
1) Common religious doctrine;
2) Performance of religious rites, ceremonies and preaching;
3) Religious upbringing of its followers;
4) Spiritual orientation of its activity.
6

In accordance with their foundation documents republican and
regional religious associations shall be entitled to start, in the form
of legal entities, spiritual (religious) education organizations
delivering professional training courses for the clergy.
Foundation and operation of legal entities engaged in religious
activity in an organizational form different from that of a religious
association shall not be permitted with the exception of spiritual
(religious) education organizations.
7

Establishment of any organisational structure of religious
associations based in government agencies, public organisations
and institutions as well as in educational and health care
organisations shall be prohibited.
8

The name of a religious association shall reflect its confessional
affiliation and status.
Full or abbreviated name and its acronym shall not completely or
substantially duplicate the state symbols of the Republic of
Kazakhstan or those of other states, names or symbols of the
Kazakhstan government authorities, religious associations
registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan or religious associations
banned and (or) liquidated due to violation of the Kazakhstan law.
9

A religious association shall become legally capable after its state
registration has been obtained.
The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall be
responsible for state registration of republican and regional
religious associations.
Local (territorial) judicial authorities shall be responsible for
state registration of local religious associations and record
registration of branches and representative offices of religious
associations.
10

For registration purposes, an application shall be submitted to the
registering agency within two months after the decision to start a religious
association is taken. The following documents shall be attached to the
application:
1) A foundation charter of the religious association signed by the head
of the religious association;
2) Minutes of the foundation meeting (congress, conference);
3) Soft and hard copies of the list of the citizens who have initiated
foundation of the religious association. Such list shall be presented in the
form determined by the registering agency;
4) A document confirming location of religious association;
5) Printed religious materials describing the background and religious
doctrine and containing information on entailed religious activity;
6) Document confirming payment of fee for state registration of a legal
entity;
7) Resolution about election of the head of religious association, or, in
case the head has been appointed an overseas religious center, document
confirming approval by the authorised body.
11

When registering a regional religious association the following
complementary documents shall be provided: list of participants of each
local religious association that initiated foundation of the regional religious
association (list shall be presented in the form determined by the registering
agency) as well as notarized copies of foundation charters of local religious
associations.
To confirm their status, within a year from the date of registration,
republican religious associations shall submit to the registering agency
copies of documents confirming record registration of their structural
subdivisions (branches and representative offices) at the local judicial
authorities (Paragraph 5).
In case of failure to comply with Paragraph 5 of this Article a republican
religious association shall be reorganized or liquidated in accordance with
the procedure as specified in the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
12

State registration of religious associations and record
registration of branches (representative offices), re-registration and
refusal to register shall be executed as per the procedure within the
period specified in the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On State
Registration of Legal Entities and Record Registration of Branches
and Representative Offices” that shall account for any peculiarities
as specified in this Law.
13

The period of state registration (re-registration) shall be suspended to
allow time for theological review and checking of the list of initiators of a
religious association to ensure compliance with the requirements of this
Law.
No later than three business days after deciding to suspend state
registration (re-registration) the registering agency shall forward to the
authorised agency copies of documents required for theological review and
checking of the list of initiators of a religious association.
Decision to grant state registration of a religious association or rejection
thereof shall be made based on the findings of theological review and
checking of the list of initiators of the religious association .
14

A religious association shall operate in accordance with its Charter that
shall include the following details:
1) name, subject and purpose of its activity;
2) location and locality where the association carries out its activity;
3) structure, formation procedure and mandate of the governing board;
4) rights and responsibilities of the members (participants);
5) confessional affiliation, religious doctrine and entailed religious
activities;
6) terms and procedure for admission to and cessation of membership
in a religious association;
7) sources of property;
8) procedure for revision and amendment of the foundation documents;
9) terms for reorganisation and cessation of its activity;
10) procedure for disposal of the property in case of liquidation;
11) information on branches and representative offices.
15

The Charter of a religious association may contain other
provisions related to its activity and not contradicting the Law of the
Republic of Kazakhstan.
Information on religious doctrine and religious activity shall
describe main religious ideas, forms of activity of a religious
association, peculiar views on marriage and family, education,
health of followers (members) of the given religious association and
of other persons as well as view on enjoyment of constitutional
rights and responsibilities of its members and clergymen.
16

State registration of a religious association or record registration
of its structural subdivision (branch and representative office) shall
be denied in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan
and in cases when information contained in foundation or other
submitted documents is unauthentic and (or) when the association
in question is not acknowledged as a religious association based on
the findings of theological review.
Decision to deny registration may be appealed in court.
17

Religious associations may be reorganized in accordance with the law
through merging, affiliation, division, reorganization and separation based
on the decision of the body authorized to do so as per the foundation
documents or based on judicial decision. A religious association may only
be re-organized into a different religious association or private institution.
Organizations formed as a result of reorganization of religious associations
can be registered as religious associations if they comply with the
requirements of this Law.
Operation of a religious association shall be suspended or liquidated as
specified in the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
18

In case of liquidation or cessation of operation of a religious
association its property shall be disposed in accordance with its
Charter and the existing laws of the Republic Kazakhstan.
In case of absence of successors the property shall be passed
into the ownership of the Government in accordance with the Law
of the Republic of Kazakhstan on State Property.
19

As of 25 October 2012, 3,088 religious
associations and branches thereof
representing 17 confessions remained in
Kazakhstan.
As of 1 January 2011, there were 4,551 religious associations and branches
thereof representing 46 confessions, including small religious groups with no
characteristics of a legal entity.
The number of religious organisations has reduced by 32% or
1/3.
20

Islam is a monotheistic world religion that emerged in the early 7th
century. Islam reached Kazakhstan 12 centuries ago.
The preamble of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On
Religious Activity and Religious Associations” emphasizes the
historical role of Sunni Islam of Hanafi Madh’hab in the cultural and
spiritual development of the Kazakh people.
21

As of the beginning of 2012, there were 2,811 Islamic communities.
22
The Republican Islamic Association “Dukhovnoe upravlenie musulman
Kazakhstana” (Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Kazakhstan,
hereinafter referred to as DUMK) was registered on 19 June 2012. 2,228
mosques covering all regions of the country were registered as branches
of this association.

Branches of DUMK (Mosques) in Kazakhstan
.
Akmola Oblast
Pavlodar OblastKostanai Oblast
South Kazakhstan
Oblast
Almaty Oblast
Karagandy Oblast
Zhambyl Oblast
Kyzylorda Oblast
Aktobe Oblast
Atyrau Oblast
Mangystau Oblast
West Kazakhstan
Oblast
North
Kazakhstan
Oblast
East Kazakhstan
Oblast
Astana
City
Almaty
City
23
Total: 2,228
7
28
43
26
18
66
139
122
670
266
388
189
93
77
64
32
(25.10.2012)

Orthodoxy is one of the Christian denominations.
In Kazakhstan it is represented by the Orthodox Church of
Kazakhstan, Armenian Apostolic Church and Old Believers’
communities. In early 2011 304 Orthodox associations were
registered in Kazakhstan.
24

25
National Association “Mitropolichiy Okrug” (Metropolitan Eparchy) consisting
of 9 dioceses and 261 parishes was registered on 17 October 2012.
The Armenian Apostolic Church and 8 Old Believers’ Churches that had
existed before were also re-registered.

Kazakhstan Orthodox Churches
Note: In addition, an Armenian Apostolic Church operates in Almaty as well as Old Believers’ Churches in
East Kazakhstan Oblast (4), West Kazakhstan Oblast (2), Almaty (1), Kostanai Oblast (1).
Akmola Oblast
Pavlodar OblastKostanai Oblast
South Kazakhstan Oblast
Almaty Oblast
Karagandy Oblast
Zhambyl Oblast
Kyzylorda Oblast
Aktobe Oblast
Atyrau Oblast
Mangystau Oblast
West Kazakhstan
Oblast
North Kazakhstan Oblast
East Kazakhstan Oblast
Astana
City
Almaty
City
26
Total: 261
4
12
13
2
1
6
1
24
18
6
45
35
1424
29
27
(25.10.2012)

Catholicism is one of the Christian denominations. Its
religious doctrine is based on the Bible and the Holy Scripture.
Its basic provisions are described in the Catholic Catechism.
79 Roman Catholic churches are active in Kazakhstan.
27

Catholic Churches in Kazakhstan
.
South Kazakhstan Oblast
Almaty Oblast
Zhambyl Oblast
Kyzylorda Oblast
Aktobe Oblast
Atyrau Oblast
Mangystau Oblast
West Kazakhstan
Oblast
West Kazakhstan Oblast
Astana
City
Almaty
City
28
Total: 79
4
3
2
1
2 18
1
6
6
812
11
5
(25.10.2012)
Kostanai Oblast
North Kazakhstan Oblast
Karagandisnakay Oblast
Akmola Oblast Pavlodar Oblast

Lutheranism is one of the Protestant movements
in Christianity. Lutheranism emerged in the 16th
century as a result of reformation trends in
Germany.
№ Locality Registered organisations
1 Astana 1
2 Almaty 3
3 Almaty Oblast 2
4 Akmola Oblast 1
5 Zhambyl Oblast 1
6 Karagandy Oblast 1
7 East Kazakhstan Oblast 1
8 Kostanai Oblast 1
9 North Kazakhstan
Oblast
1
10 Pavlodar Oblast 1
13 local religious associations
were re-registered in 2012.
There were 32 religious
associations in Kazakhstan in
early 2011.
29

№ Locality Registered
organisations
1 Astana 4
2 Almaty 12
3 Akmola Oblast 5
4 Aktobe Oblast 4
5 Almaty Oblast 23
6 Atyrau Oblast 2
8 Zhambyl Oblast 8
9 West Kazakhstan Oblast 1
11 Kostanai Oblast 5
12 Kyzylorda Oblast 3
13 Mangystau Oblast 1
15 North Kazakhstan Oblast 6
16 South Kazakhstan Oblast 11
Baptism is one of the Protestant movements in
Christianity that emerged in the early 17th
century. Its religious doctrine shares general
Christian ideas and Protestant dogmas
regarding the Trinity, divinity of Christ and
general Protestant ideas regarding the Salvation.
100 local religious
associations were re-
registered in 2012.
364 religious associations
and small religious groups
and branches were registered
in Kazakhstan in early 2011.
30

Methodism emerged in the 18th century in
England.
Methodism doctrine follows the canons of
Classical Protestantism accepting the Bible
and requiring methodical observance of
religious regulations.
organisations
1 Almaty 3
2 Astana 1
3 Almaty Oblast 2
4 Akmola Oblast 1
5 Zhambyl Oblast 1
7 Pavlodar Oblast 2
In early 2011, 18 religious
associations were registered in
Kazakhstan.
31

organisations
One local religious association were
re-registered in 2012.
In early 2011, 6 religious associations
were registered in Kazakhstan.
Mennonitism is one of the earlier
Protestant movements that derived its
name from its founder Menno Simons.
32

Pentecostalism
Sun Bok Ym
«Agapae» Mission
«New Life»
«Labour»
«Author of Life»
2011 2012
11 9
2011 2012
46 23
2011 2012
55 38
2011 2012
10 5
2011 2012
55 28
Pentecostalism emerged in the late
19th century – early 20th century in the
USA.
A specific feature of Pentecostalism is
accepting, as a separate religious
dogma, Revelation of the Advent on
the date of Pentecost when Apostols
and other pupils of Jesus Christ
received the power of the Holy Spirit.
In early 2011, 400 religious
associations, small religious
groups and branches were
registered in Kazakhstan.
33

71
14 14
8
13
4
2 3
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Grace Hope Immanuel Nazarene
2011 2012
Presbyterianism is one of the
Protestant movements.
Presbyterianism is considered one of
Calvinism branches and, in a wider
interpretation, that of the Reformed
Church.
Presbyterian doctrine is based on the
belief in the supreme powers of God and
that only belief is required to get God’s
Grace.
In early 2011, 229 religious associations,
small religious groups and branches
were registered in Kazakhstan.
55 local religious associations were re-
registered in 2012.
Presbyterianism
34

organisations
1 Astana 1
2 Almaty 5
3 Akmola Oblast 1
4 Aktobe Oblast 1
5 Almaty Oblast 10
6 Atyrau Oblast 1
8 Zhambyl Oblast 9
12 Kyzylorda Oblast 1
13 Mangystau Oblast 1
Jehovah's Witnesses emerged in the 1870s in the
USA. Main provisions of its religious doctrine are
described in seven volumes of “Scripture Search”
written by Charles Russell, the founder.
70 religious associations
were registered in
Kazakhstan in early 2011.
59 local religious
associations were re-
registered in 2012.
35

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church is a
Protestant movement that emerged in 1843 in the
USA. Ex-baptist William Miller founded the
Adventist Doctrine. Adventists refer to the Bible as
the only rule of the faith and life. They believe in the
Second Coming of Christ and treat Saturday as the
day of rest and peace.
organisations
1 Astana 2
2 Almaty 3
3 Akmola Oblast 4
4 Aktobe Oblast 1
5 Almaty Oblast 4
6 Atyrau Oblast 1
8 Zhambyl Oblast 4
12 Kyzylorda Oblast
13 Manghistau Oblast 1
67 religious associations were
registered in Kazakhstan in
early 2011.
36

organisations
1 Astana 1
2 Almaty 1
3 Akmola Oblast 1
4 Zhambyl Oblast 1
6 Pavlodar Oblast 1
New Apostolic Church emerged in 1832 in England
and it is one of the main churches in Germany after
Catholicism and Lutherans.
The New Apostolic Church accepts the Bible as the
basis of its belief accepting the special role of
Apostles.
registered in Kazakhstan in
early 2011.
37

Judaism is the Jewish national religion.
Strict monotheism is the basis of this
belief that regulates nearly all spheres of
life of the Jews.
organisations
1 Astana 1
2 Almaty 1
3 Pavlodar Oblast 1
4 South Kazakhstan
Oblast
1
registered in Kazakhstan in early
2011.
4 local religious associations were
38

Buddhism is the world religion that emerged in
VI-V B.C. in India.
In contrast with other religions, Buddhism does not
support the idea that God is the Creator of the
World and its Governor. Buddhism encourages
every person to find his or her way to end
sufferings.
2011.
registered in 2012.
organisations
1 West Kazakhstan
Oblast
1
2 Almaty 1
39

The Hare Krishna Community is a new Hindus
religious association founded in 1966 in New York by
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a Bengal monk.
Krishnaists worship Krishna as the Supreme
hypostasis of God.
organisations
1 Astana 1
2 Almaty 1
3 Almaty Oblast 1
4 Aktobe Oblast 1
7 Kostanai Oblast 1
8 Pavlodar Oblast 1
2011.
8 local religious associations got
re-registered.
40

Bahai community emerged in the middle of the
19th century. It was founded by a Persian, Mirza
Husayn Ali known as Bahá'u'lláh. Bahai is a
synthesised teaching based on certain dogmas of
the world and traditional religions.
organisations
1 Astana 1
2 Almaty 1
3 Almaty Oblast 1
4 Akmola Oblast 1
2011.
6 local religious associations were
41

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(Mormons) was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 in
the USA. The term “Mormon” is derived from the Book
of Mormon, a text published in 1830 as the Holy
Scripture that is used by Mormons along with the
Bible.
organisations
1 Astana 1
2 Almaty 1
1 religious association was registered in
Kazakhstan in early 2011.
registered in 2012.
42

Overall, 3,088 religious organisations representing 17
confessions got re-registered as of 25 October 2012
№ Confession/denomination As of 01.01.2011 As of 25.10.2012
1 Islam 2811 2229
2 Orthodoxy 304 280
3 Pentecostal churches 400 189
4 Evangelical Christian-Baptists 364 100
5 Catholicism 118 79
6 Jehova’s Witnesses 70 59
7 Presbyterian Churches 229 55
8 Seventh-Day Adventists 67 42
9 Evangelical Lutheran Church 32 13
10 Methodists 18 11
11 New Apostolic Church 47 8
12 Krishnaism 14 8
13 Bahai 20 6
14 Judaism 26 4
15 Buddism 4 2
16 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) 1 2
17 Mennonites 6 1
TOTAL 4,551* 3,088
43
* additional 20 non-traditional religious associations failed re-registration.

Religious Freedom in Kazakhstan

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