In the first quarter of 2020, the religious situation in the region was stable and predictable. The events held on the territory of the region met the requirements of the state policy in the field of religion.
To implement the state policy in the field of religions in the region, there are 1 regional, 3 city, 17 district, and IRG with a total membership of 348 people. During the reporting period, the main work of the Department and the IRG was aimed at implementing the provisions of the Concept of state policy in the field of religion for 2017-2020 and the State program on countering religious extremism and terrorism in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2018-2022. This work was organized on the basis of unified approaches approved by the Ministry of health of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In the first quarter, 182 articles were published in the media on topical issues aimed at explaining state policy in the sphere of religion, promoting traditional values, preventing religious extremism and building immunity against radical ideas.
The Department also organized a helpline to provide psychological and legal assistance to the population in the field of religion. During the reporting period, 18 calls were received from residents of the region. Each phone call was answered with the involvement of theologians and a psychologist. According to a separate request, work was carried out at the place of residence of the applicants. The activities and mode of operation of the helpline are brought to the attention of the population through the mass media, namely regional and district Newspapers, The telemarket of the ZHETISU TV channel and the running line.
Work carried out through social networks and Internet resources. Facebook Instagram Instagram Instagram, Instagram, in January, February, March of this year, 282 information materials were published in the network of the Department of religious Affairs of the Almaty region, 80 video materials were shot and posted.
In addition, the KSU "center for research on problems in the sphere of religions" implements a set of measures to prevent the spread of destructive content in the information space. During the reporting period, during the monitoring of religious content posted on the Internet, 235 sites were uploaded to the cyber Surveillance program to block sites that promote destructive ideology, of which 84 sites were blocked, and 151 sites are under examination.
However, in March, the nature and direction of the information work of the Department for religious Affairs (Hereinafter referred to as the Department) changed with the Declaration of an emergency situation on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan (due to the spread OF covid - 19 coronavirus infection). Taking into account the epidemiological situation, the main work of the Department and subordinate centers has been switched to remote mode, and work with religious associations is carried out online. In order to strictly comply with the quarantine measures carried out by the state, a number of activities aimed at awareness-raising among parishioners and clergy of religious associations have been carried out.
Also, the center for research on problems in the sphere of religions constantly monitors the Internet space in a 24/7 format for rapid response to the religious situation.
In Karasai, ili, Zhambyl, Enbekshikazakh districts and Kapchagai district, special billboards are posted on the streets to inform the public about ways to prevent the spread of the virus.
In the Almaty region, all mosques of the Spiritual administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (hereinafter - the DUMK) have 466 mosques, the Russian Orthodox Church - 52, the Roman Catholic Church - 11, Jehovah's witnesses-10, Protestant religious associations - 96, the Baha'i Association - 1 And the society for Krishna Consciousness - 1, and notices on virus prevention are posted at the entrances to religious buildings and Bulletin boards. There are 574 imams in Islamic mosques in the region. There are 311 clergymen working in Christianity and non-traditional religious areas.
Also, due to the state of emergency in the country, the information and rehabilitation work of supporters of destructive religious movements was switched to online mode in April. In this regard, new methods of work have been introduced. In particular, materials (lectures by qualified theologians, religious and educational literature, etc.) of the electronic library at the rehabilitation Center are provided to rehabilitated and controlled contingents (DRT adherents, persons returned from the zone of terrorist activity and rehabilitated, etc.) using special QR codes.