Kazakhstan's Islamic civilization serves as a model for coexistence, says Grand Mufti

Dr. Nazir Ayad, the Grand Mufti of Egypt and President of the General Secretariat of Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, highlighted the Islamic civilization in Kazakhstan as an inspiring model of coexistence and moderation. Speaking via a recorded address at the 32nd International Applied Scientific Conference in Almaty, Ayad emphasized how Kazakhstan has successfully balanced its religious and cultural identity with openness to other cultures.

The conference, titled ‘Traditions of Islamic Civilization in Kazakhstan between Past and Present’, was held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Nur Mubarak Egyptian-Kazakh International University of Islamic Culture. Ayad noted that Kazakhstan’s history as a hub for trade caravans facilitated not only the exchange of goods but also the movement of knowledge, languages, and ideas between the East and the West.

He further explained that the adoption of the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam provided the Kazakh society with jurisprudential flexibility, allowing Islamic practices to interact harmoniously with local cultural traditions. Ayad stressed that preserving Islamic heritage involves transforming its values into a practical methodology for social behavior and ethical responsibility.