Abstract

This article explores the content, mechanisms, and specific features of the formation of Islamic identity in Kazakhstan in the context of its ontological foundations and phenomenological manifestations.
The importance of studying the ontological dimension of Islamic identity lies in the significance of how believers define their place in the world, as well as the axiological guidelines of the Islamic worldview, which shape the dynamics of Muslims’ spiritual development. The interest in the phenomenological aspect of Islamic identity is driven by the need to understand and identify the features of individual experiences of faith, which determine external religious expressions such as ritual practices and everyday behavior.

The authors consistently address several research tasks, including: identifying the specificity of Islamic identity in Kazakhstani society through the lens of the historical and cultural context shaped by Central Asian societies; investigating the ontological dimension of Islamic identity by uncovering the existential foundations of Islam; analyzing the phenomenological content of Islamic identity and its practical significance in the life of Kazakhstani society; and examining Islamic radicalism as one of the forms of diverse phenomenological interpretations.
In this regard, the authors conclude that Islamic identity is not a static category but rather a dynamic process of personal development, reflecting both internal experiences and behavioral transformations within the individual and society at large.

Keywords: Islamic identity, Kazakhstani society, ontological foundations, phenomenological foundations, Islam in Kazakhstan, Central Asia