KAZAKHSTAN SAID TO FACE UPSURGE IN ISLAMIC PROPAGANDA.

Briefing the Kazakhstani parliament on May 11, National Security Committee (KNB) Deputy Chairman Nartay Dutbaev described the activities of foreign Islamic organizations in Kazakhstan. He alleged that certain “missionary” groups from Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have recently stepped up their efforts in Kazakhstan, focusing on four administrative regions: the South Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Kyzylorda (all three in the south of the country) and Atyrau (the oil-producing region on the Caspian Sea). According to Dutbaev, some of those groups propagandize for the creation of an Islamic state in Kazakhstan, preach “Wahhabi” and other “fanatical ideas,” and “spread printed materials of an unconstitutional and extremist character.” The KNB, Dutbaev reported, is exerting efforts to contain those activities and has intercepted some of the “foreign missionaries” (Itar-Tass, May 11).

The Monitor is a publication of the Jamestown Foundation. It is researched and written under the direction of senior analysts Jonas Bernstein, Vladimir Socor, Stephen Foye, and analysts Ilya Malyakin, Oleg Varfolomeyev and Ilias Bogatyrev. If you have any questions regarding the content of the Monitor, please contact the foundation. If you would like information on subscribing to the Monitor, or have any comments, suggestions or questions, please contact us by e-mail at pubs@jamestown.org, by fax at 301-562-8021, or by postal mail at The Jamestown Foundation, 4516 43rd Street NW, Washington DC 20016. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution of the Monitor is strictly prohibited by law. Copyright (c) 1983-2002 The Jamestown Foundation Site Maintenance by Johnny Flash Productions