All people around the world have their customs and traditions. They reflect the lifestyle of the people, their habits and national characteristics. Moral norms, traditions and customs of the people are inseparable from Islam which has such basic principles as equality of all people, purity, sobriety, chastity, mercy to the weak, etc.

Legalization and revival of religion currently arouses great interest to Islam among young people. Moral and spiritual wealth of people must be scrutinized, revived and cultivated in order to resist non-traditional religious movements.

In this context, a discussion devoted to traditions and customs in religious practice of Kazakhstan’s people, their history, continuity and prospects was held for PSU students under the Bilim+ project in the concert hall of the University on March 5, 2014.

The purpose of this event is strengthening moral values, interest in and respect to the culture, history and legacy of the Kazakh people. 

The event was organized by the Kyz Zhibek club and the Regional Scientific and Practical Center for the Study of Inter-ethnic and Inter-religious Processes.

Among the participants of this dialogue platform were representatives of government agencies, religious organizations, deans, teaching staff members, undergraduate and graduate students of nine faculties, heads and members of the student self-government bodies, as well as guests: Aynur Abdrasilkyzy, Head of the Department for Relations with Spiritual Educational Institutions and Expert Examinations in Religious Studies of the Agency for Religious Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Tolebi Ospan, naib imam of the Nur Astana central mosque, Erzhan Rakhimzhanov, Head of the Department for Religious Affairs of Pavlodar region; Arman Eshmuratov, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor, Deputy Head of Pavlodar city branch of Nur Otan; Bakytzhamal Maksilova, Chairperson of the Muslim Women League.

The following reports were made during the discussion: Religion and Women Aynur Abdrasilkyzy, “Дін мен дәстүр сабақтастығы” by Tolebi Ospan, etc.

Ayman Zeynullina, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Professor, Head of the Kyz Zhibek club, Head of the Department of the Kazakh Language of S. Toraighyrov PSU, and Nurlan Kairbekov, an Islamic scholar, Master of International Relations, Doctor's degree student of Nur Mubarak Egypt University of Islamic Culture, were moderators of the discussion.

The event was held in the form of a dialogue among the participants. Students asked questions about the role of women in traditions and the national idea in the history of Kazakh people, the importance of traditions and customs for the society, problems of interpretation of traditions and customs, their essence. During the discussion, its participants considered not only the customs and traditions, but also their modern meaning. One of the students asked about the 'bride theft' custom which is a topical problem at the moment. All questions were answered by the guests and speakers of the event Zholdas Bertymuratov, a theologian, member of the Regional Scientific and Practical Center for the Study of Inter-ethnic and Inter-cultural Processes, and Gabit Khafiz, a student rector. A student of the Faculty of History and Law, Adilet Meyrmanov suggested that school children should learn to play dombyra as a part of their curriculum.

The dialogue was intensive and meaningful. The participants of the event discussed interrelation of religious rites with customs and traditions of the Kazakh people, the place and role of religion in the cultural and spiritual life of modern Kazakhstan.

During the exchange of views, students and teachers made suggestions for the the draft of the recommendations of the dialogue platform.

In conclusion, a Master's degree student of the Faculty of Humanities and Education Ryspek Mausymbayev performed Azyrge Aytarym, a terme by Yestay Alekeyev.