Processes of Deradicalization of Muslim Youth in Kazakhstan

Today, Kazakhstan is only beginning to grasp the challenge of non-violent radicalization among Muslims. By placing Islamization within the framework of securitization and perceiving it as one of the causing factors for religious radicalization, Kazakhstan is reviving the discourse on the role of men and women in Islam and within a secular state. As it tries to return people from Syria and Iraq, state officials, security forces, and religious representatives have found themselves looking for answers - how and why do these people fall into the trap of “destructive religious currents” and what are the solutions for successful de-radicalization? This paper conducts the observation of current policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan on preventing and countering extremism and terrorism, particularly on implementation the process of de-radicalization. It includes the analysis of primary official documents along with the real context on the ground which demonstrates the limitations and weaknesses of the governmental policy on de-radicalization.