How to protect children from religious heresy, why the Almaty city court supported the ex-husband of Aliya Nazarbaeva, the reasons for early marriage for girls, as well as the need to rename Mount Nursultan and details of negotiations with Chevron - all this in the new review of the Kazakh-language press by Nazira Darimbet.
Confrontation of Science and Religion in Kazakhstan
On the website Democrat.kz, blogger Iskak shares his opinion, raising questions about the conflict between the Ministry of Education and religious preachers in Kazakhstan.
According to him, the contradictions between secular education and religious teachings negatively affect the youth.
“Currently, there is a confrontation between the Ministry of Education and religious preachers in society. The state allocates funds for teaching children biology and the theory of evolution, while preachers actively oppose this knowledge. This leads to confusion in children's minds. How can this problem be solved?” the blogger questions in his social media.
Subscribers agreed with his opinion and suggested various solutions, including the need for enhanced development of science and the limitation of religious propaganda.
Iskak, who positions himself as an atheist, explains scientific concepts in his videos, and his approach often puts religious figures in awkward positions. The question arises: how can officials in the education sector counteract this influence?
Almaty Court Overturns Decision on Nazarbaeva's Ex-Husband's Case
The Almaty city court overturned the previous verdict of the Bostandyk district court, which refused to recognize Daniyar Khasenov, the ex-husband of Aliya Nazarbaeva, as bankrupt, and sent the case for reconsideration, reports Nege.kz.
The first-instance court noted that Khasenov did not prove that he had taken all possible measures to repay the debt. However, the city court deemed this decision erroneous, pointing out the lack of necessity to provide additional documents confirming attempts to settle the debt.
“The determination of the Bostandyk district court dated October 6, 2025, is overturned. Khasenov's bankruptcy case is sent for new consideration,” the court's decision states.
Khasenov noted that he does not own any property and did not take any actions that could harm creditors three years prior to filing the lawsuit. His debt to the “Problem Loans Fund” amounts to 23.8 billion tenge.
Daniyar Khasenov is a former football player and one of the executives of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ). He has children with Aliya Nazarbaeva, which adds interest to the case.
…It is hard to believe that Khasenov truly has no property. Bankruptcy is often used as a way to evade debts, especially when it comes to an amount nearing 47 million dollars. Given the annulment of the court's decision, one might assume that the next verdict could be in favor of Khasenov.
Chevron to Continue Operations in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has given preliminary consent for the extension of Chevron's activities at the Tengiz field, according to a source from the t-channel DALA INSIDE.
However, the new contract is expected to be short-term - for 20-25 years, while Chevron sought a 30-year agreement.
“Principled agreement has been reached, however, there are technical disagreements,” the source notes.
Kazakhstan has also expressed a desire to increase the share of local specialists in the management of TCO. It is expected that director William Jacoby may be replaced by a Kazakh specialist in 2028, to which Chevron has no objections.
The long-term contract between Kazakhstan and Chevron for Tengiz expires in 2033, and by 2028 the parties must discuss its extension. The Tengiz field accounts for 23% of Chevron's proven oil reserves worldwide.
Chevron also owns a stake in Karachaganak, the development license for which is valid until 2037.
Currently, the shares in TCO are distributed as follows: Chevron - 50%, ExxonMobil - 25%, Kazakhstan - 20%, Lukoil - 5%. Initially, the shares were equal, but Kazakhstan sold part of its share to ExxonMobil and transferred 5% to Lukoil between 1994 and 1996. Due to sanctions against Lukoil, its stake in TCO must be resolved within the next 11 days. If Lukoil does not find a buyer, Kazakhstan may become the main candidate to buy this stake.
…Interestingly, Lukoil's assets may attract the interest of a consortium consisting of Chevron and Quantum Capital Group, who intend to divide them among themselves. If their proposal is approved by the U.S., Chevron could increase its stake in the project by 5%.
Renaming Mount Nursultan to Qantar
Marathon runner Erengayip Kuatayuly proposed renaming Mount Nursultan to Qantar, as reported by Adyrna.kz.
“When I stood at the summit, the thought came to me: This mountain is still called Nursultan, and it would be good to name it Qantar, in memory of the victims of the January events. I hope that the deputies from Almaty will raise this initiative,” said Kuatayuly.
The peak, which is 4,376 meters high, is visible from almost any point in Almaty. Previously, it was called the Peak of Small Almaty, then from 1935 to 1997 - Komsomol Peak, and only then was it renamed Nursultan. In 2023, its name was changed to Almaty Peak, but this name has not yet been registered in the official registry of geographical names of Kazakhstan.
By tradition, Kazakhs name mountains after rivers and bodies of water, rather than by their height. For example, Big Almaty Peak likely got its name from the Big Almatinka River.
…Interestingly, Mount Furmanov has retained its name. As for Mount Nursultan, I agree with the marathon runner, but I doubt that the deputies will raise this issue, as the topic of the January events is sensitive for the authorities.
Married at 13: A Real Story
Journalist Ruslan Otepbay spoke on his YouTube channel about the difficult situation of a large family in the Karasai district of Almaty region, as reported by Sn.kz.
Meiramgul Nazarova, a mother of four, is a citizen of Uzbekistan and lives in temporary housing without documents. Her civil partner has several wives and does not take care of the family.
20-year-old Fatima, the eldest daughter from the first marriage, was married off at 13 to a 30-year-old man by her stepfather's decision.
“I lived with my first husband for only 8 months. When the authorities found out that I was underage, they took me away. Last year I married again, and we have a son. My younger sister often missed classes because my stepfather believes that boys and girls should not be together, it’s haram. He treated me the same way; I only finished 3 grades,” Fatima recounts in the video.
A neighbor told the journalist about the situation in the family, which received temporary housing for three years from a charitable foundation.
…I remember that my grandmother got married at 13, but that was over a hundred years ago. I watched this episode and am amazed that in the age of technology and progress, such situations exist: semi-temporary homes, lack of sanitary conditions, and illiterate women allowing pseudo-religious husbands to marry off minors. I am sure that there are many such families in the depths of the country.
