Kazakh Bloggers Discuss Religion
Cross-regional and Blogosphere, Kazakhstan6 Comments
Translation of Askhat’s post (KAZ, RUS)
Because Kazakhstan does not have a clear religious policy, it has become the norm that everyone is entitled to his or her own perspective on faith. As it was twenty years ago, no one is really bothered by this multitude of views, which is evidenced by the debate on religion and traditions, which recently spilled over into the blogosphere.
The discussion was sparked by the Kara Zhorga dance, which has become popular in the country in the last few years.
Urimtal writes: “I think Kara Zhorga is not just a dance, but a whole phenomenon that has united the nation. Even Kazakhs who live abroad are taking part. When our government describes the expatriates in not-so-flattering terms, Kara Zhorga is a kind of response to such criticism.”
Orken wrote a post on the subject:
“Let’s say the dance has roots in Mongolian or Kalmykian culture, but we’re the ones who made it into a national brand. The Mongols, the Chinese and the Kalmyks didn’t object in any way. This is why I think it’s a sign of ignorance that many of us have a short memory when it comes to tradition or even bring up Islam as an opposing force.”
In 2011, Kazakhstan will chair the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Yet there was a discussion not too long ago about a “potential law that would ban the wearing of headscarves.” Malimetter.org confirms the reports, and points to the causes, or rather, deputy Minister of Education and Science Mahmetkali Sarbyev does:
“Kazakhstan is a multi-confessional state. If we permit people to wear the hijab, then tomorrow thirty students in a single class will show up wearing something different – and that won’t lead to anything good,” he explains.
Timurr writes that the law will be unconstitutional, since the constitution guarantees freedom of religious expression:
“Given everything that is happening right now, I don’t think our officials and ministers are unaware they are going against the law. But, if this is the case, why are they doing it?”
P.S. Last week, protests took place in Baku against the ban on headscarves in Azerbaijan’s school system.
Photo: flickr user pinkponk (CC-usage)
RSS Feeds
Podcasts
Sorry, I don’t read Kazakh. Are they talking about banning the head scarf everywhere? Not just in schools? I do know that head scarves are not allowed in school. How does this promote the image of Kazakhstan as a tolerant society? And from a practical point of view: Will they ban it for Russians who also wear scarves on their heads? Will they ban it for the women and men who cut grass and do roadwork and often wear pieces of cloth tied around their head and face? Will they ban it in the mosques? And the churches where women also have to have their heads covered?
Reply
Askhat Reply:
December 28th, 2010 at 8:59 am
@KZBlog, There was a news that officials in the government preapering special ammendment on banning hijab and paraying in education institutes (schools, universities etc) and soon introduce it into Parlamaent.
Reply
[...] Original post is published on neweurasia.net By Askhat Yerkimbay · Posted 4 January 2011 Print version [...]
[...] Original post is published on neweurasia.net [...]
[...] Originalni post je objavljen na neweurasia.net od Askhat Yerkimbay · Preveo/prevela Sinisa Boljanovic · Prevod objavljen 5 Januar 2011 Verzija za štampu [...]
[...] Makala ya awali ilichapishwa kwenye neweurasia.net imeandikwa na Askhat Yerkimbay · Imetafsiriwa na Christian Bwaya Tafsiri imetumwa 31 Januari 2011 · Kwa ajili ya kuchapisha Tweet [...]