Astana, Kazakhstan - Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has chaired a session of the country's Security Council, which addressed measures to enhance stability in religious affairs, the presidential press service has reported.
Kazakhstan is a secular state that proclaimed freedom of religion, which, however, does not mean that the authorities can stop regulating relations in the religious sphere, a statement issued after the session says.
"There is a need to resolutely suppress the spread of elements of the extremist religious ideology in the country, especially actions that are aimed at undermining the constitutional system and pose a threat to citizens' life and health," the document says.
The president ordered law enforcement services and other agencies to promptly detect and respond to any manifestations of religious extremism.
"The administration of Astana, Almaty and the regions should step up awareness raising and preventive campaigns and closely monitor religious associations' commitment to existing legal norms. The Agency for Religious Affairs will be responsible for tackling a large amount of practical tasks," the statement says.