Astana clamps down on religions , after the recent law provoking criticism from activists. The Muslim minority no longer has a center in which to meet and pray. Christians also under authorities’ surveillance. Control of buildings and the intended use of the dwellings.

Astana (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Ahmadi Muslim community in Kazakhstan no longer has a place of worship where they can meet and pray, every activity is banned from the nation, after their last home - in Almaty, the country's commercial capital - was closed by court decision, which continues to stringently apply the recent law on religious freedom. The law, in force since last October 21 and strongly desired by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, has raised fierce controversy and resulted in the cancellation of nearly 600 churches and religious denominations (see AsiaNews 23/02/2012 Kazakh government to ban 579 Churches and religious communities). According to human rights activists, now the next "target" of the authorities could be the Methodist community, long under close observation.

Forum18 sources report the closure of the last Ahmadi place of worship - Muslim sect considered heretical in many Sunni countries, because it does not recognize Muhammad as the last prophet -  in Kazakhstan, part of the government campaign that aims to prevent the use of private dwellings as buildings for prayer. The faithful also handed down a heavy fine.

Nurym Taibek, from the community, emphasizes that the religious minority "has lost hope" of having a place of worship, and no one can see even "openings" to appeal against the decision. Since 19 April they are in effect an outlawed sect, without rights or identity.

Regardless of the complaints, the authorities respond that all statutory procedures have been complied with and that, in the case of the last place of worship, "there were no permissions" to host celebrations. "We are not against the Ahmadi community - says a government official - but we certainly will not tolerate violations of the Law of the land." The community has to undergo a "new" registration process and get cleared "by various state authorities."

Finally, after the Ahmadi community, the new target could be represented by the Christian Methodists, already the subject of inspection by the administrative officials. Recently, a private home in Taldykorgan, near Almaty, was subject to raids and inspections and the owner has received a hefty fine. According to well informed sources, the government has ordered the inspection of all property of religious communities in the Almaty region and verification of the intended use buildings and homes. Similar measures will be adopted also in Kostanai region, where local authorities have extended controls on to the Baptists.

• Kazakhstan
• religious
• freedom
• Ahmadi
• Muslims
• Islam
• Christian
• Methodist