Kazakhstan cracks down on Islamic bloggers, but some escape scrutiny
Kazakh MP Murat Abenov has backed the position of Nurlan Imam regarding religious sermons on social media, arguing that all «preachers» who are not affiliated with Kazakhstan’s official Muslim authority should be investigated.
Read also: Faith under fire? Kazakhstan to punish religious propaganda on social media.
According to Abenov, only representatives of officially registered religious organizations have the right to preach. In Kazakhstan, the sole officially registered Muslim organization is the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, commonly known as the Muftiate. He said only its authorized representatives have the right to preach on Islamic matters.
«If the Muftiate has not granted official permission to preach on its behalf, such preaching is illegal. That’s the law. The police are obliged to hold such ‘teachers’ accountable,» Abenov wrote.
Independent preaching criticized
Abenov argued that anyone who follows a religious movement that contradicts the Muftiate’s position or identifies as an independent ustaz (preacher, teacher) is engaging in illegal preaching, regardless of their level of religious knowledge.
According to the lawmaker, the number of self-proclaimed preachers on social media has increased sharply in recent years.
Dispute involving Sufi preacher
In March, the spiritual administration issued a statement criticizing Sufi preacher Kurbanali Akhmet over remarks he made about his personal life.
The controversy stemmed from Akhmet’s claim that he had «gifted» one of his wives to a student, a statement that sparked public debate and drew condemnation from the country’s official Muslim authority.
