Detailed information about religious beliefs in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan is a country located in Central Asia and has been influenced by various religious beliefs throughout history. Today, the official religion of Kazakhstan is Islam and is followed mostly by Sunni Muslims. However, other religious beliefs are also allowed in the country, and the Constitution of Kazakhstan guarantees religious freedom. Kazakhstan is home to Turkish communities under the influence of Islam. These communities include Turkic-speaking groups such as Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks and Turkmens. The spread of Islam began in the 8th century when Arab traders and Muslim missionaries began migrating. In the 9th century, Islam was adopted by Turkish rulers in the region, and Islam played an important role in the history of Kazakhstan. Islam in Kazakhstan is divided into different sects. While there are mostly Sunni Muslims who adhere to the Hanafi sect, Shiite Muslims are also a minority. Important Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated every year in Kazakhstan. In addition, mosques are widely available in the country and Muslims perform their prayers in these mosques. However, there are also some pagan beliefs in Kazakhstan that date back to pre-Islamic times. These beliefs originate from the traditional cultures of the Turkic peoples. These beliefs focus on worshiping natural elements such as nature, the sun, and the earth and regarding them as sacred. There are still some nomadic communities in Kazakhstan and these communities maintain their traditional beliefs. Additionally, Christianity is widely present in Kazakhstan. Christians of the Russian Orthodox Church live especially in regions under Russian influence. Other Christian denominations are also represented in the country. Kazakhstan promotes religious tolerance, and dialogue and cooperation between different religious communities are encouraged. There are religious educational institutions in the country and the training of religious leaders is encouraged. In addition, Kazakhstan plays an active role in the fight against terrorist organizations that use Islam and takes various measures to prevent the spread of radicalism.