Culture

In Kazakhstan, there is a deep integration of different cultures. The two biggest cultural groups are Kazakhs and Russians. Kazakhs come from a once nomadic culture and are Muslim. Those of Russian decent tend to be Christan. The borders between Kazakhstan and Russia have moved many times over the years. Sometimes people changed the country they lived in without even having to move! Other groups of people, including Germans, were moved to Kazakhstan in exile when it was still part of the Soviet Union.

In Aktobe, the city that hosted me, the Mosque and the Church are very close to each other.

Here are closer shots of them both.

Here is a picture of a wedding party in front of the Mosque. Notice the wedding hat!

The government of Kazakhstan supports the integration of cultures. Anyone who discriminates against another person based on their race can be punished by law. Even the flag in Kazakhstan supports the idea of racial integration. It features a steppe eagle flying below a sun with rays of grain and the intertwining marks to the left represent the integration of races.