On the development of the religious situation in the region: In the II quarter of 2020, the religious situation in the Almaty region remained stable and predictable.
At the same time, quarantine measures aimed at preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus infection made certain adjustments to the activities of religious associations. Given the difficult epidemiological situation, the development of the situation in the sphere of religion was under the control of The Department for religious Affairs (hereinafter-the Department). In particular, during the state of emergency, all mass services were suspended in religious buildings and prayer houses in the region. Individual religious associations have switched to carrying out their activities with believers online. Together with the concerned services, additional measures were taken to inform religious associations about compliance with restrictive measures and sanitary standards after the end of the state of emergency. Temporary restrictive measures on the part of RU managers were received with understanding. There are no facts of violation of quarantine requirements in the sphere of religion.
About places of worship (buildings) and other premises of religious associations and their branches. During the reporting period, 638 religious associations and their branches were registered in Almaty region (2 mosques were registered in the 2nd quarter of this year). Of these, 468 are Islamic mosques, 52 are Russian orthodox churches, 11 are Roman catholic, 95 are protestant, 10 are Jehovah's witnesses, 1 is Bahai, and 1 is Krishna consciousness.
In total, 576 imams work in mosques in the region. Among them: 284 chief imams, 163 imams, 96 Naib imams, 22 teachers, 11 muezzins (according to the level of knowledge: imams with higher education - 161, who graduated from madrasa - 108, passed courses - 226 and with secondary education -81).
There are 311 clergymen working in Christian and other religious movements. Of them: Orthodox 75, Roman Catholic 29, Protestant 204, Baha'i 1, Krishna consciousness 1. (by level of knowledge: with higher education -58, with secondary education -42, completed courses-211 people).
Permanent places for the distribution of religious literature. In accordance with the resolution of the akim of Almaty region (No. 337 of September 19, 2014 "On approval of the special stationary premises for the dissemination of religious literature and other informational materials of religious content, religious objects and coordination of location space to conduct religious ceremonies outside religious buildings"), approved 20 special places to distribute religious literature. During the reporting period, religious books were sold in 5 of them (in Alakol, eskelda, ili, Karasay, and Panfilov districts).
About publishing articles in the media. In the II quarter of this year, in accordance with the media plan, the regional and district media published 139 articles on topical issues aimed at explaining state policy in the field of religion, promoting traditional values, preventing religious extremism and building immunity against radical ideas.
About information and explanatory work. DRA together with district, city akimats, coordinates the activities of information and awareness groups on religious issues (hereinafter GRI) There are 21 irgs in the region (consisting of 1 regional, 3 city and 17 district). The total number of GRI members is 350 people. Due to the introduction of the state of emergency and quarantine measures, the main work of the UDR and its structural divisions within the GRI was switched to online mode.
The DRA and its structural divisions' awareness-raising activities are directed and conducted mainly among the target population (believers, students and marginal youth,employees of private enterprises, trade, self-employment, convicts, adherents of the DRT, etc.).
For the second quarter of 2020 a total of 296 events of a diverse nature were held (235 of them were promotions, 50 online meetings (Facebook, Instagram), 1 social network survey, 1 meeting, 1 OpenAir, 1 briefing, 7 focus groups) with coverage of 30 150 people (of which: 29 230 people were involved on Internet platforms during the period of joint information and explanatory work with divisions of youth resource centers, internal policy, specialized faculties of Universities and Aces). All activities were carried out in accordance with the quarantine requirements.
In total, 24 518 materials aimed at promoting traditional values and building immunity against destructive and radical religious movements were published and distributed among the population of the region at various events (brochures, booklets, banners, flyers, programs, manuals, etc.). 2500 informational and thematic materials were published by the Department's own resources.
About work carried out through social networks and Internet resources. Instagram Facebook, Vkontakte and the Department of religious Affairs of the Almaty region published 535 information materials and 136 videos aimed at counter-propaganda of religious extremism and terrorism in the second quarter of 2020.
In General, about 1030 materials and 255 videos were posted on official social networks and official websites in the region, with 31 026 views.
About the work of the helpline. In the second quarter of this year, 22 calls were received, and the Center's specialists gave full answers to the questions. The analysis of received phone calls shows that most of the questions were related to obtaining information about religious terms and improving religious literacy. There were no messages requiring departure and explanatory work.