The interethnic and interreligious situation in the Southof Kazakhstan
(The Social Research experience in Jambyl region)
Prof. Dr. Oleg Komarov[1],
Student Xeniya Feldman.[2]
Student Veronica Dudkina[3]
(PavlodarState Pedagogical Institute, Republic of Kazakhstan)
The research’s problem:
The actuality of this social research in the modern Kazakhstani society introduce as:
-Firstly, the people of Republic of Kazakhstan represent the many different ethnic and religious groups. The social progress and economic developing, also the preservation and fortification of political stability depending people who in keeping with differ opinions and religions.
As a result, the government carries out the interethnic and interreligious consent’s politics and the preservation of tolerance and goal dialog, also the warning of extremism manifestations.
-Secondly, in Kazakhstan the missionary and propagandistic activity realize by the religious organization from foreign countries, Totally, in conditions of globalization and international connection , we can say that the global geopolitical tendencies had influence on this situation, especially the events, which happened in neighboring regions(СНГ,Central Asia and Middle East). As known, a few neighboring countries have serious social and economic difficulties, the government should remember this factor for politic creation in the international relations area. Kazakhstan mustn’t admit terror import or transform in home for extremists and terrorists. The outside threats mustn’t reflect in the situation in the country.
-thirdly, the major number of differ religious organizations, streams, sects ,which were creating in society, are supposed the definite monitoring bodies and regulations, so we should inculcate the systematic scientific process, which take place in spiritual social area.
According this situation, the Regional Management Academy with the project lieder – professor, Ph.D. in Sociological Sciences Oleg Komarov and with support of administration and professors and teachers group of Taraz Innovation Humanitarian University conducted the complex social research, which had direction on the studying of interethnic and interreligious situation in this region on October, 2012 .It was made by the order of Internal Politics Administration of Jambyl region.
The research object are people, who are older than 18. The research subject is the interethnic and interreligious situation. The research purpose is to definite the manifestation level of interethnic and interreligious contradictions in the region.
The research theoretical base are the main theoretical statements of ethno -sociology and religion sociology, especially the results of Kazakhstani sociologists - Gurevich L.Y.,Zabirova A.T.,Shaukenova Z.K., also Russian sociologists Arutyunyan Yu.V.,Garag V.I.,Drobizheva L.M.,Mitrokhin L.H., Toschenko J.T and others.
The research based on the complex approach and general science principles of cognizance such as : objectivity ,oneness of theoretical and applied analyses, logical analyses, discover of general and special principles in the developing process of research, systematics determinism, verification and authenticity of giving results.
for the collecting of first research social information used the social questionnaire. The participations are 500 respondents (Jambyl region inhabitants, who are older than 18) and 100 experts (the ethno-cultural unification of Assembly of Kazakhstan folks, religious statesmen, the main region scientists).
Keywords :Kazakhstan, religious problems ,the sociological research
The research results
According to Constitution, Kazakhstan create the modern high-society country, however the government supports the best customs of worldwide and traditional religions. Nowadays the interest to religion in public consciousness acquired the mass character last year. So, 90,2 % of inhabitants are Muslims and just 8,4% of respondents are Christians. However, a few respondents chose the other answers – other religion (0,4 %) or atheism (1%).
At the same time, the important point id not only self-indication, but the religious level, which is characterize as people find themselves as religious persons.So the main part of respondents are religious temperately and hold to some religious traditions and the each of 3rd of habitants (31,8%) the religion define the behavior on the whole life area. Just 5th part of respondents (19,9%) are atheists and this time 5,8% inhabitants notice that they are opponents of any religions.
So, as the results we can compose social portrait of religious person. Totally, there are people, who haven’t high school education and undergraduate degree, in general there are young persons and pensioners, Kazakhs or other nationalities (especially, Uzbeks), the major part are Muslims (table 1)
Figure1 – Religiosity in the context of education(in % of respondents)
The periodicity of visiting religious organizations(mosques, churches or others), which men visits more often than women,in general young or pensioners, and other nationalities and Russians, oftentimes it’s the representatives of orthodox Christian branch, so it’s the indicator ,which add social portrait of believer(table 2)
Sometimes, the respondents visit the meetings of religious organization on the feasts. There are 27,4 % region inhabitants, in general its men(35,2%), middle ages persons (30.4%),Russians (32,4%) or other nationalities (37,5%) and orthodox Christians(38.1%)
However one part respondents don’t visit the religious meetings. There are 44.4% region inhabitants - women (50.1%),pensioners(46.2%),Kazakhs(45,2%) and Muslims(44,8%).
Table 1 - Level of religiosity, by sex, age, nationality and religion (in% of respondents)
All in one / Sex / Age / Nationalities / WorshipMen / Women / 18-29 / 30-49 / Older then 50 / Kazakhs / Russian / Other nationality / Muslims / Orthodox Christians
Religion defines the behavior in all spheres of life / 31,8 / 32,1 / 31,6 / 35,6 / 29,6 / 31,9 / 32,2 / 21,6 / 43,8 / 32,8 / 26,2
Moderately religious and adhere to certain religious traditions / 41,8 / 40,6 / 42,4 / 38,9 / 42,3 / 45,1 / 41,6 / 40,5 / 50,0 / 41,7 / 47,6
Not religious, although they respect the religious views of others / 19,4 / 17,0 / 20,6 / 16,8 / 21,5 / 17,6 / 18,6 / 35,1 / 6,3 / 18,6 / 23,8
Believers and enemies of every religion / 5,8 / 9,1 / 4,2 / 6,7 / 5,8 / 4,4 / 6,3 / 2,7 / - / 5,5 / 2,4
Table 2 - Frequency of visits to a collection of religious institutions (mosques, churches, etc.) (in% of respondents)
All in one / Sex / Age / Nationalities / WorshipMen / Women / 18-29 / 30-49 / Men / Women / 18-29 / 30-49
Every day / 7,2 / 10,3 / 5,7 / 8,7 / 5,8 / 8,8 / 6,7 / 10,8 / 12,5 / 6,7 / 11,9
Continuously and regularly / 8,4 / 14,5 / 5,4 / 11,4 / 6,2 / 9,9 / 8,3 / 5,4 / 18,8 / 8,9 / 4,8
Sometimes on religious holidays / 27,4 / 35,2 / 23,6 / 22,8 / 30,4 / 26,4 / 26,6 / 32,4 / 37,5 / 26,6 / 38,1
Rarely, usually in difficult situations / 11,2 / 7,3 / 13,1 / 11,4 / 12,7 / 6,6 / 11,6 / 10,8 / - / 11,5 / 7,1
Do not attend religious services / 44,4 / 32,7 / 50,1 / 44,3 / 43,8 / 46,2 / 45,2 / 40,5 / 31,3 / 44,8 / 38,1
Totally,3/4 respondents (78,8%) have positive attitude to believers (55% inhabitants think that it bring up the moral and ethical features and also 18,8% respondents think that people have to find smth. to do. But each of 4th respondents (24,8%) apply to religion negatively, so that people don’t understand own role(12,2%) and that’s way the politicians and religious lieders used religion in own interests (12,6%) and 1,4 % inhabitants couldn’t find the answer.(plate 2)
Figure 2 - The respondents' answers to the question:"How do you feel about other people's religion?"(in% of respondents)
The majority (84,6%) citizens usually celebrate the religious feast (answers – “always” - 60,2% and “very rarely” -24,4%).But some citizens don’t celebrate feast (13,6%) and others (1,8%) couldn’t find answer.
Moreover the region inhabitants are religious tolerant enough. For 3rd part of respondents (34,2%) can admit opportunity to take a part in religious feasts or other folks rites(8,8% persons to do often and with pleasure; sometimes 17,8 % inhabitants take part and 7,6% respondents do it very rarely). As the same time, the majority (63,8%) never take part in same events.
For the dimension of interreligious tolerant level is used scale, which allow to define the respondents’ relations to representatives of differ religion with help statements such as :” respectfully” ;”indifferently”; and “negatively”.
The results are represented in the table 3,in which we can see that general mass predominate : respectful attitude to Islam(88,4%) ;neutral attitude to orthodox Christianity (29,2%) and negative attitude to the representatives of differ non-traditional religions for Kazakhstan (non-traditional religious streams and sects - 49,8 % ;Judaism – 40,6 %; Buddhism – 38,8 %; Protestantism -28,4% ;Catholicism -33,8 %).
Уважительно / Равнодушно / Отрицательно / Затрудняюсьответить
Muslim / 88,4 / 4,0 / 3,0 / 4,6
Orthodox Christians / 21,8 / 29,2 / 26,8 / 22,2
Catholicism / 12,8 / 28,6 / 33,8 / 24,8
Reformed Faith / 11,4 / 24,6 / 38,4 / 25,4
Judaism / 11,2 / 23,0 / 40,6 / 25,2
Buddhism / 12,2 / 23,4 / 38,8 / 25,6
Nontraditional religions / 6,6 / 16,8 / 49,8 / 26,8
mean / 23,5 / 21,4 / 33,0 / 22,1
Table 3 - Relation to the followers of different religions (in% of respondents)
We can notice that the major part (64,2%) of citizens treat negatively that part of some people don’t follow their forefathers religions and take other believes or religions. Part of respondents (18,4%) apply to it indifferently and just 15,4 % of inhabitants treat it positively. Others 2 % couldn’t find answer.
More negatively inhabitants (72, 6%) apply to people who chose non-traditional religion, particular “The Witness of Jehovah” and “The Church of Scientology” or other. So some inhabitants (14,2 %) apply to it indifferently and just (1,6%) persons estimate it positively. Others (1,6%) couldn’t find answer.
At the same time the majority of respondents (85%) never admit to change religion or belief. However, in different cases some of respondents say “yes”(6,8%) and group of people (4%) – think about it yet and others(3%) almost change own forefather religion.
The plate # 3 demonstrates the non mono-semantic inhabitants’ attitude to wearing hijabs, also other special religious clothes and attributes. The major part of respondents (63,4%) apply to it negatively, so that its just outside sings, which can to not show truthful religiosity(18,2%) and that point that we live in high society country ( 45,2%). However, others estimate the wearing hijabs, also other special religious clothes and attributes positively (35%; 44,2% - men;30,4 %-women)
so that it shows the students adherence to truthful belief(11,4%) and people have rights to choose any religion (23,6%)
Figure 3 - The respondents' answers to the question: "How do you feel about to wear the hijab, and other special religious clothing and paraphernalia? "(in% of respondents)
On the close relationship (family, friends, relatives or others) some people (7%) of respondents have persons who we can called Wahhabis (13,3% -men ,3,9 % - women).
In general, the majority of experts (50 %)and respondents (46%) estimate the relations between people who have different religion in the city, as neutral and calm,34 % experts and 27,4% respondents estimate it as respectful and benevolent. at the same time 9% experts and 15,4% inhabitants notes the interreligious relations are normal as usual but the tenseness arises rarely and 4,8% persons notice it as conflicting and tense ( Kazakh -5,4%, Muslims – 5,1%)
For detail the dimension of interethnic tolerant used scale from 10 statements which one of them respondents have to show their agreement or not. First 5 statements apply to direct affirmations. The 6th sentence hasn’t estimation sense. The last 4 statements are inverse affirmations, where there indicator of tolerant is the negative answer.
The table #5 has answers of all of 10 statements which demonstrate tolerant level of region inhabitants
Table 5 - Assessment of inter-ethnic tolerance(in% of respondents)
Totally agree / Mostly agree / Rather disagree / Strongly Disagree1. / About human should be judged by his moral and professional qualities, not his nationality / 67,6 / 16,6 / 2,4 / 3,0
2. / Inciting ethnic hatred - a crime for which it is necessary to punish severely / 56,2 / 22,4 / 6,4 / 2,8
3. / The fact that Kazakhstan - a multiethnic country, enriching its culture / 50,6 / 30,0 / 7,0 / 1,6
4. / Nationalism deserves all condemnation / 42,4 / 25,6 / 10,4 / 9,6
5. / You can not divide people into good and bad, because in any people there are good and bad people / 74,2 / 10,8 / 2,4 / 1,8
6. / Modern man must be indifferent to his nationality / 44,8 / 23,2 / 10,2 / 7,6
7. / All people living in Kazakhstan, have a good command of the Kazakh language / 63,0 / 15,0 / 7,6 / 3,0
8. / People of certain nationalities should not hold in the state are important decision-making positions / 25,2 / 24,0 / 21,0 / 16,4
9. / Each person must first take care of the interests of its people / 57,6 / 18,0 / 7,8 / 4,0
10. / Kazakhs can only be true patriots Kazakhstan / 35,6 / 18,8 / 13,4 / 19,6
In the direct statement the numbers of positive answers predominate above negative answers it the statement 6 which says “the modern person must be indifferent to his nationality” predominate the agreement position (“modernism”). In inverse statement the situation is not mono-semantically that’s explain ethnic inhabitance mobilization, especially the citizens of Native nationalities.
The sum of answers of the direct (1-5) and inverse statements allow calculating the indicator of interethnic tolerance on select of this research, which equal 61% against 38, 4% non-tolerant respondents.
Hereby the high level (61, 6%) of interethnic tolerates is the most important indicator of interethnic situation. So, 32%inhabitants respect and try to adopt the customs and tradition of other folks and 56% respondent just respect but don’t adopt. however 6,8% think the traditions and customs of some folks are ridiculous, also 2,6% of persons notice that they feel with indignation to the customs and behavior of come folks representatives.
The interethnic tenseness is a special condition of society which arise in process group ethnic consciousness reflection of unflavored condition and factors aggregate, infringing ethnic interests destabilize it state conditions and embarrassing it’s development. it can be display in range from hidden cognitive tenseness till violence between differ folks.
17,4% respondents confessed what they feel hostility because of opponent nationality (“very often” -9,2% and “often” – 8,2%). The one part of respondents who feel rarely negative emotion connecting with nationality – 24,2% and never feel it 56,6%. Others 2,8% couldn’t find answer.
Figure 4 - The respondents' answers to the question "Have you experienced the hostility engendered by ethnicity opponent?"(in% of respondents)
Hereby the inhabitance attitude to other nationalities and other believes’ representatives characterize by high level of interethnic and interreligious tolerances.
The plate 5 shows the main factor, depending extremist mood in society are: abroad in city activity(experts 55%; inhabitants – 45,4%); unreality to came at honesty and solve all problem in law way, but it’s unreal because of corruption(experts 32%; respondents – 29,8%) also insolvable contradictions between people ,who have differ nationalities and believes( experts – 7% ; inhabitants – 14,4%)
Figure 5 - The main factors contributing todevelopment of extremism in society(in% of respondents)
The main places where the conflict situation tenseness and misunderstanding between differ nationalities and believes people is public transport(experts -33%; respondents – 25.4%)and rest zones(experts – 14%;respondents – 25,4%) .Least conflict relations can be at work (experts – 21%; respondents – 16%) and neighboring (experts – 16%; respondents -14,8%).
On experts and respondents opinion the degree mark of probability protest manifestations on interethnic and interreligious base compose 30 % (from 100%)
The degree mark of inhabitants’ readiness to take part in protest events on interethnic and interreligious base compose on middle indicator of experts and respondents views (17%; experts – 18%; inhabitants -16%).
Kazakhstan follows on the strategic ways, which directs on developing ethnic original and try to save national and cultural ethnic multiform. On the base of government politics are main principles of further fortification of cultural, religious and civilized identify, also worldwide developing religious dialog.
The table #6 demonstrates the attitude of region inhabitants’ state politics on preservation of interethnic and interreligious agreement. So, 52 % of experts and respondent support its goals, but they think that the methods could be more modern, more actual. In that time 8% experts and 17, 4% respondents think it have much more mistakes and defects, than dignities. 2% experts and 7, 6% respondents don’t support it and 12 % experts and 19 % respondents don’t know about it anything.
Table 6 - The ratio of public policy for the conservation of inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony (in% of respondents)
Experts / Inhabitants / Worship / NationalityMuslims / Orthodox Christians / Kazakh / Russian / Other nationalities
Fully support its aims and means / 52,0 / 34,8 / 34,8 / 33,3 / 33,8 / 35,1 / 62,5
Support its goals, but I think that money could be more modern, more efficient / 24,0 / 28,0 / 27,3 / 38,1 / 27,3 / 35,1 / 31,3
Believe that it has more bugs and drawbacks than advantages / 8,0 / 7,4 / 8,0 / - / 8,3 / - / -
Do not support / 2,0 / 7,6 / 8,0 / 2,4 / 8,3 / - / 6,3
Did not know about it / 12,0 / 19,0 / 19,3 / 16,7 / 19,7 / 18,9 / -
Couldn’t find the answer / 2,0 / 3,2 / 2,7 / 9,5 / 2,7 / 10,8 / -
The plate # 6 illustrates the inhabitant relation to events on propaganda of tolerance value and interethnic agreement, which happened in the region. Only 3rd part (36%) of experts and ¼ part of respondents notice that its very helpful and interesting. Together with it, the same number of respondents and experts notice that the idea is good, but it happened only on formal form and without wishes. Also 9% experts and 12 % respondents present that it haven’t any sense and interest. Only 18% experts and 12,8% respondents don’t know about it.
Figure 6 - to activities to promote values of tolerance and inter-ethnic harmony,conducted in the region (% of respondents)
In general, it was reveal the not high level of inhabitants participating on the propaganda of tolerance value and interethnic and interreligious agreement which happened in the region. So, half of respondents don’t take a part in the same events and 12,8 % never hear about it. Only 3rd usually take part, moreover 17,8 % respondents take part on requirements or leadership, and only 15,6 % do it on own wishes and with pleasure. More others ,Russians and orthodox Christians take part in events which take place in this region on propaganda of tolerance value and interethnic and interreligious agreements.(on comparison with other social inhabitant groups)
Conclusions:
Based on results of this research can be make form next conclusions
The condition of interethnic and interreligious situation in Jambyl region characterize as stabile and steady position:
-To apply to part of people who change religion and do not follow to forefather belief negatively.
-To apply to part of people who choose nontraditional religion, particular “The Church of Scientology” and “The Witness of Jehovah “and others.
-Never allow opportunity to change their religion or belief.
-To apply to wearing hijabs and other religious clothes and attributes negatively.
2)On the close relationship( family, friends, relatives or others) some people (7%) of respondents have persons who we can called Wahhabis (13,3% -men ,3,9 % - women).
3) In general, the majority of experts (50 %) and respondents (46%) estimate the relations between people who have different religion in the city, as neutral and calm. The high level of interethnic tolerance is the main indicator of interethnic situation. So, 32% of respondents respect and try to adopt the customs and traditions of other folks and 56% of persons just respect but don’t adopt.