In 1998 well-known muslim theologian imam Ak-Beket, the kazakh on a nationality, has accepted holy baptizing.
To him there were 46 years by then, has deserved popularity not only in Kazakhstan, but also in all muslim world as author of the book "The New message Аллаха to the world". Ahead his the brilliant career waited. But it has not prevented imam to accept the decision, unsafe for his life.
His conversion Ak-Beket explains by own spiritual growth, he has declared, that "I has become stronger in a idea: only through a christianity there can be воссоединение of the man with the God, whereas an islam - faster culture, than religion. To understand it to him have helped the conversations with the orthodox priests, study of the literature and personal religious experience.
Ak-Beket speaks, that he pursues the purpose to legalize a christianity in Kazakhstan. As he said, he has undergone already to threats on the part of religious and nacionalists figures".
Kazakhstan differ from the other post-Soviet states by low share of aboriginal nation. Even after migration of Russian population in the beginning 1990-th, Kazakhs make up only about 55% of total population, moreover in half of areas they are ethnic-confessional minority.
The Kazakhs have accepted Islam only about two hundred years ago, and the most part of them especial in flat country, concern to it with indifference, vestiges of heathenism are still strong.
Muslim clergy repeatedly outspeak concernment by Christian missioners success. In 1994 the management of Kazakhstan muftiate had distributed the open letter, in which was expressed the concern by renunciation of youth "from the religion of ancestors" and it was offered legislatively "to forbid for the Kazakhs to convert in other religions". Fortunately, this request was not adopted by officials.