A public lecture devoted to the ways of countering religious extremism promotion in social networks was delivered to students of the Faculty of Business and Law within the campaign aimed at raising students' awareness of religious extremism.

Askhat Tleulenov and Dosymkhan Dosymov, second-year undergraduate students majoring in Jurisprudence, made reports during the event which was also attended by Nurzhamal Tyshkanova, Director of the Regional Scientific and Practical Center for the Study of Inter-ethnic and Inter-faith Processes at S. Toraighyrov PSU, and Tilek Masalim, Chairman of the Student Union of S. Toraighyrov PSU.

The lecture was held in the form of a dialogue. Participants of the event discussed the ways of implementing measures to eliminate or, at least, minimize the impact exerted by members of non-traditional religious movements in the Internet. There was a presentation of websites providing formal advice on religious matters.

According to Takhir Ernazarov, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, Professor, ideologues of religious extremist groups are actively searching for new members. Young people are more likely to become main targets for such recruiters, as their system of values is still shaping up. “Our University held a lot of roundtable conferences, dialogue platforms, lectures and conferences under the Bilim+ project. We have a special website (www.rukhanialem.psu.kz) where students can get advice in theological and cultural spheres. Besides, there is a hot line (32-50-50) of the Center for Analysis and Development of Interfaith Relations, Office for Religious Affairs of Pavlodar region. This hot line is for people who have suffered from pseudo-religious organizations. It offers free psychological or legal advice.”

“In order to combat extremist propaganda in social networks, the Committee on Religious Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan has enhanced its Internet presence. A special educational portal (E-islam.kz) has been launched in order to help young people find answers to their questions regarding religion.

Besides, the efficiency of the websites of central and regional structures of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (muftyat.kz) has significantly increased,” said Nurzhamal Tyshkanova.

Photo by Rufina Torpischeva