Increasing the religious literacy of schoolchildren

On January 26, 2019, at the initiative of the Center for the Study of Religious Issues of the Department of Religious Affairs of the West Kazakhstan region, information and explanatory work began in schools of the city and region on the topic "Religion, society and the state" as part of the implementation of the priority directions of the concept of state policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2017 -2020 in the field of religion and the state program to counter religious extremism and terrorism for 2018-2022, the formation of immunity against the ideology of destructive religious movements, increasing religious literacy, popularizing national values, preventing religious extremism and terrorism and fostering patriotism.

In accordance with the plan, from February 26 to March 1, in the city schools №1, №3, №4, №6, №7, №9, school №10 named after A. Baitursynov, meetings were held with the participation of deputy directors for educational work, psychologists, students in grades 9-11.

During the meeting, experts from the Center for the Study of Problems of Religion discussed the dangers of religious extremism and terrorism, the negative impact of destructive religious movements on citizens, precautionary methods, safety in social networks, the peculiarities of traditional religions, etc. In addition, answers were given to students' questions, videos were shown "Religious literacy of youth", "I am a patriot of my country!", "The way home", as well as information provided by the regional helpline "24-46-46".

The outreach work will continue until April 26, 2019.