State-Confessional Relations in Kazakhstan (1940–1990): a Historiographical Review

Based on a critical analysis of previously published studies by domestic and foreign authors, the article identi-fies and summarizes the degree of study of the problem of state-confessional relations in Kazakhstan in the 1940–1990. The beginning of researchon these issues dates back toSoviet times. In the post-Soviet period, due to the processes of spiritual revival and the formation of historical consciousness, as well as a result of the introduction of previously classified materials and sources into scientific circulation, interest in this issue has increased. The proposed historiographical review is organized according to the chronological method. The works of domestic and foreign researchers actualize the problems of the legal status of religious denomi-nations, consider various aspects of the practical implementation of Soviet religious legislation, analyze the consequences of errors and miscalculations made in the course of the struggle against the activities of reli-gious organizations, show the causality of excessive anti-religious policy in Kazakhstan, assess the role of re-ligion in the daily life of the population. Such research gaps as forms and methods of anti-religious struggle, mass persecution and repressive policies against the Islamic and Orthodox clergy, the processes of formation and functioning of Muslim religious institutions in Kazakhstan, church diplomacy during the Cold War, reli-gious daily life and other related issueshave been highlighted in the works of scientists. At the same time, the urgent tasks of regional analysisand the controversial nature of the problem of relations between the state and religious organizations leave room for new research