“Kazakhstan’s growing culture of extremism,” Stratfor, 11/28/2011 (subscription required). In summary, “The number of militant attacks in Kazakhstan increased markedly in 2011. Although the government attributed all of the attacks to increasing Islamist extremism, there are numerous factors, including Kazakhstan’s economic conditions and current political tensions, that could motivate such attacks. The government’s reaction to the attacks has been to crack down on religious movements — a move that has given rise to very real Islamist extremism that could spread rapidly in Kazakhstan.”
Read also
11/24 Forum18 “Kazakhstan: new draft regulations outline official religious censorship.”
11/22 RussiaProfile.org “Kazakhstan’s response to local terrorist acts is closely tied to its relationship with foreign investors.”
11/21 MNN “Tightening of restrictions felt by Kazakh religious community with prayer room bans.”
11/18 VoA “Peace Corps withdrawing from Kazakhstan.”
11/16 Eurasianet “Kazakhstan: Astana Jolted by Terror Incidents.”
11/10 Moscow Times “Kazakhstan Facing Islamist Insurgency.”
11/01 MNN “Kazakhstan explosions come on the heels of new religion laws.”
10/21 Jamestown Foundation, in Eurasia Daily Monitor “Kazakhstan imposes tougher measures to stem the rise of religious extremism.”
10/19 PersecutionBlog “Christians cringe as Kazakhstan passes restrictive religion laws.”
10/13 Eurasia Review “Kazakhstan: President Signs Two Laws Restricting Freedom Of Religion Or Belief.”
09/30 WWRN “Top Kazakh Muslim cleric raps tough new religion law, warns of extremism.”
09/30 Beliefnet “Kazakhstan clamps down on religious expression, prohibits churches in private homes.”
09/29 RFE/RL “Following Terror Attacks, Kazakhstan Hurriedly Tightens Religious Law.”
09/01 RFE/RL “Kazakh president calls for tighter control of religious groups.”
07/30 Eurasia Review “Kazakhstan: one nation, one religion?”
07/08 Eurasia Review “Kazakhstan: Puzzling Blasts Stir Fears Of Islamic Radicalism.”
05/24 RFE/RL “Kazakh Suicide Bombing Puts Spotlight On Western Regions.”
03/31 Eurasia Review “Kazakhstan: Worship Banned In Private Homes, Universities.”
Implications for Christians
There is potential for random religiously-based violence against Christians by fundamentalists. There will also obviously be increasing restrictions on any and all religious activity. Christians—especially unregistered churches—could become a token target in the political and economically-inspired religious tensions and conflict. For the short-term future (e.g. next five years) it is highly likely that conditions for Christians and churches will become even more dangerous in Kazakhstan and Central Asia as a whole.
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