Information on Work Carried Out in the Religious Sphere for the first half of 2026
As of the first half of 2026, 96 religious associations representing 8 confessions are registered in the territory of the West Kazakhstan Region. These include: 64 Islamic, 20 Orthodox, 2 Catholic, 4 of the Union of Churches of Evangelical Christian Baptists, 3 Pentecostal churches, 1 Seventh-day Adventist, 1 Jehovah’s Witnesses, and 1 Buddhist religious association.
The total number of religious buildings in the region is 94. Among them are: 64 mosques, 19 Orthodox churches, 2 Catholic churches, 4 churches of the Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists, 3 Pentecostal churches, 1 Seventh-day Adventist church, and 1 Jehovah’s Witnesses place of worship.
In the first half of 2026, 3 mosques were commissioned in the region.
The imam corps of the regional representation of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan numbers 128 people. Of these, 41 imams (32%) have higher religious education, 60 imams (47%) have secondary religious education, and 27 imams (21%) have completed advanced training courses. By position: 17 chief imams (13%), 64 naib-imams (50%), 7 muezzins (6%), 23 teachers at mosques (18%), and 16 mollas (13%).
In 2026, 11 non-governmental organizations are operating in the religious sphere in the West Kazakhstan Region.
During the reporting period, systematic work was carried out in the region to implement state policy in the religious sphere. The main priorities were ensuring public stability, preventing religious extremism and radicalism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and increasing the religious and legal literacy of the population.
In order to explain the fundamentals of state–confessional relations, prevent religious extremism, and raise the level of legal and religious literacy of the population, 14 information and outreach groups with a total of 93 members operate in the region, carry out comprehensive activities.
Within the framework of information and outreach activities, 2213 events were held in various formats (867 meetings, 5 seminars, 1320 discussions, 1 lecture, 20 other events), reaching 30 055 people.
Through mass media and social networks, materials aimed at explaining state policy in the religious sphere were regularly published. With the participation of experts, interviews, articles, and video materials were prepared.
In 2026, a total of 3762 materials were published in regional media and the internet space, including 139 articles, 16 television and radio programs, as well as 3607 materials published on internet resources (1482 videos, 1141 images, and 984 informational publications).
In order to prevent religious extremism and terrorism, individual and group preventive work was carrу out with representatives of risk groups. With the participation of theologians, psychologists, and law enforcement representatives, comprehensive measures were organize, and explanatory work aimed at countering the ideology of destructive religious movements was strengthened.
A continuous dialogue has been established with registered religious associations in the region. Awareness-raising activities are being conducted on issues related to compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the proper conduct of religious rites, and the strengthening of interfaith harmony. The activities of religious associations are subject to constant monitoring.
Overall, today the religious situation in the region remains stable, and interfaith harmony and public unity have been preserved. Further work to improve state policy in the religious sphere, strengthen preventive measures, and develop feedback with the population will continue.