Quoted the translation of the Quran on social networks – put on trial. This situation has happened to the Kazakhstan-based actor, director and producer Nurtas Adambay. Can we call it a show trial and if so, what do they want to ‘show’ to the society?
“The Office for Religious Affairs of Astana sued me for writing the words from the translation of the holy Quran on my page on Instagram. To be honest, I was not aware that our country prohibits quoting of the Quran translation,” Nurtas Adambay wrote in his Instagram account on August 1, 2024.
That day, Adambay should have stood trial for breaking the law on dissemination of religious literature and other materials with religious content (article 490, Code of Administrative Offences). He could face a fine of up to 50 monthly calculation indices (approximately, 185 thousand tenge, or 393 dollars). However, the trial was adjourned for an indefinite period.
According to the Office for Religious Affairs of Astana (UDR), the religious expert examination confirmed the following: “Video records of the ‘Nuradam’ podcast on religious topics, as well as surahs and ayahs, were posted on the Instagram account nurtasadambay.” Keep in mind that ‘Nuradam’ is the author podcast of Nurtas Adambay, where coach Torebek Bekbayev and he discuss the Quran and sacred traditions of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam.
According to UDR, with reference to article 9 of the law “On religious activity and religious associations”, dissemination of religious literature is allowed only in places of worship, spiritual educational organisations, as well as in fixed premises, specifically designated by local executive bodies.
“It was found that Adambay Nurtas Adambayevich committed offences as he is not a representative of a religious association,” UDR wrote in response.
What do experts think about the case?
Political analyst Dimash Alzhanov draws attention to the fact that Adambay in his political views is quite loyal to the regime. So, the reason for the trial could be his excessive promotion of the Islam in social media. “It can be contrary to the desire of the regime to have sole control of the process taking place in the society,” Alzhanov said.According to religious scholar Ali Ukenov, it is too severe to consider quoting of the Quran translation as illegal dissemination of religious literature. If we follow the rule, said Ukenov, we should delete so much information from the internet, including Kurban Ait greetings (the feast of sacrifice) and Oraza greetings (fasting) containing duas (Islamic fasting) and translations thereof.
“Prohibition of discussing holy texts by citizens raises questions. For example, the works by Abay contain thoughts about the contents of Quran without the religious expert examination. Yet no one bans them,” the expert said.
According to Ukenov, many people publish religious materials on social media every day. According to him, it is impossible to hold everyone liable.
The religious scholar is convinced that more attention should be paid to creation and raising of awareness of citizens about laws related to religious activity instead of punishment. It could help to avoid similar situations in the future and would contribute to a more balanced interaction between the state and citizens in religious matters.
Can we call the case of Adambay a show trial?
Dimash Alzhanov suggested looking wider at the problem because it was not the first case of this kind in Kazakhstan. According to Alzhanov, because of the absence of the law-governed state and remedy through the adversarial process, particular cases under article 490 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan can be show trials or used against journalists and religious figures. According to the expert, the laws related to dissemination of religious materials should fight those who incite violence and hatred, not those who demonstrate their religious views with no threat to the society.
According to Ali Ukenov, he cannot tell exactly what was the logic of the Office for Religious Affairs of Astana. He believes the actor’s behaviour was typical of a newcomer. ‘Novices’ often take holy texts literally and consider them absolute truth.
“People who have just come to religion often face the law because they think they have found out the ‘truth’ and want everyone else around to be aware of it. They do not understand that many people already know the truth, but they have [inner] culture and ethics not to shout about it from the rooftops and not to make others follow their path,” the religious scholar said.
What and who is addressed by this trial?
Dimash Alzhanov plays down the case because the hearing was postponed for an uncertain period. Meanwhile, the case shows how the regime builds up relations with the society.
“The problem cannot be solved by demonstrative flogging or administrative trials focused on media hype,” Alzhanov said.
“If the Office for Religious Affairs wanted to punish him exemplarily, it was a mistake, in my opinion,” Ukenov said. “If they wanted to demonstrate something by this case, it is unclear what exactly.”
Firstly, as Ukenov suggested, UDR may tend to emphasise the significance of compliance with laws related to religious activity.
“It can be a signal for all citizens showing that any actions related to religion must comply with existing rules and provisions,” the religious scholar said.
And, secondly, the UDR may have demonstrated the fact that even such popular figures as Nurtas Adambay should comply with the laws on religion.
Main photo: Nurtas Adambay by Forbes.kz