Kazakhstan Court Upholds Elementary School's Ban On Muslim Headscarf For 6-Year Old

In the central Asian Republic of Kazakhstan, where 70% of the population is Muslim, a court has upheld a school's refusal to allow a 6-year old girl to wear a headscarf that her family believes is religiously required.  According to Tengri News yesterday, the Burlin District Court of West Kazakhstan Oblast rejected claims by the girl's father that she was being denied her constitutionally protected right to education on the basis of religion. The father believes that Sharia law requires Muslim women to cover their head, regardless of their age.

UN Rapporteur On Religious Freedom Issues Preliminary Findings On Kazakhstan

Yesterday, Heiner Bielefeld, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief issued his Preliminary Findings as he ended his eleven day visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan. (Press release).  His report emphasized the religious pluralism in Kazakhstan, and recommended an end to mandatory registration of religious communities.  He said in part:

Non-registered communities must be able to operate free from discrimination and free from fear of intimidation. Thresholds for registration at different levels (local, regional and national) should be defined in such a way that minorities can fully operate throughout the country. The requirement of registering missionary activities as well as the practice of licensing the import and distribution of religious literature should also be generally overhauled.

Kazakhstan Creates New Initiatives To Combat Religious Extremism

In Kazakhstan on Thursday, several government officials conducted a media briefing on new initiatives to prevent religious extremism. Marat Azilkhanov, head of the Kazakhstan Agency for Religious Affairs, announced a toll-free telephone hot line available throughout the country to furnish people answers to questions about religion. Azilkhanov said:

Two theologians, two psychologists and a lawyer work in the center in a twenty-four hour regime.... People can ask these specialists any religion related questions. They can also receive psychological, legal and advisory assistance. People can also visit this center and receive consultations personally....

Commenting additionally on the hot line, the head of the consulting and information center,Yuliya Denisenko, said that in addition to furnishing information, the hot line will  furnish  psychological aid to people suffering from destructive religious activities. She added:

The information about breach of legislation in the religious sphere, illegal and destructive religious activities received by the center is forwarded to the law-enforcement bodies and departments for religious affairs of the akimats for investigation.

Officials also briefed reporters on educational programs.  A Religious Studies Fundamentals course has been introduced into the 9th grade. It provides basic knowledge about Islam, Christianity and Buddhism. In universities, lectures, films videos, and informal meetings are used to discuss religion related issues. Finally, the Agency for Religious Affairs has created a new E-Islam website to provide comprehensive knowledge about Islam from a secular viewpoint. Eurasianet today posted additional background on these developments.