Bahá'í Faith in Kazakhstan

Islam is the largest religion in Kazakhstan followed by Russian Orthodox Christianity. After decades of religious suppression by the Soviet Union, the coming of independence witnessed a surge in expression of ethnic identity, partly through religion. The free practice of religious beliefs and the establishment of full freedom of religion led to an increase of religious activity. Hundreds of mosques, churches, synagogues, and other religious structures were built in the span of a few years, with the number of religious associations rising from 670 in 1990 to 4,170 today.[47]
The front of the Nur-Astana Mosque in Astana during the morning hours. Islam is the major religion of Kazakhstan, and Nur-Astana mosque is the largest in the country.

Approximately 65% of the population is Muslim.[48] The majority are Sunni of the Hanafi school, including ethnic Kazakhs, who constitute about 60% the population, as well as by ethnic Uzbeks, Uighurs, and Tatars.[49] Less than 1% are part of the Sunni Shafi`i school (primarily Chechens). There are a total of 2,300 mosques,[47] all of them are affiliated with the "Spiritual Association of Muslims of Kazakhstan", headed by a supreme mufti.[50] The Eid al-Adha is recognized as a national holiday.[47]

One third of the population is Russian Orthodox, including ethnic Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians.[48] Other Christian groups include Roman Catholics and Protestants.[49] There are a total of 258 Orthodox churches, 93 Catholic churches, and over 500 Protestant churches and prayer houses. The Russian Orthodox Christmas is recognized as a national holiday in Kazakhstan.[47] Other religious groups include Judaism, the Bahá'í Faith, Hinduism, Buddhists, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints



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