How to protect children from religious heresy, what is the reason for the Almaty city court's decision in favor of Aliya Nazarbaeva's ex-husband, what are the traditions of early marriages, why it is worth renaming Peak Nursultan to Qantar, and what agreements are being discussed between Kazakhstan and Chevron — all this in the new review of the Kazakh-language press by Nazira Darimbet.
Children and the Struggle Between Science and Religion
Democrat.kz published blogger Iskak's reflections on the conflict between the Ministry of Education and religious preachers in Kazakhstan.
The blogger claims that the contradictions between secular education and religious views negatively affect the youth.
“There is a clash in society between the Ministry of Education and religious leaders. The state allocates funds for the study of biology and the theory of evolution, while preachers actively oppose this knowledge. Children are confused. How can we solve this problem? What do you think?” he asks on his social media page.
Commentators note the existence of the problem and suggest various solutions.
“Education and science should actively develop. Preachers should talk about more useful topics, not about women and paradise,” “It is necessary to monitor the activities of preachers,” “Scientific knowledge should be a priority,” “The 21st century is the era of educated people,” “Banning sermons at the legislative level is the solution,” they write in response.
Blogger Iskak, who identifies himself as an atheist, explains scientific concepts to the youth on TikTok, sometimes putting religious figures in awkward positions. It’s good that he fights against heresy, but what can representatives of education do to counteract the preachers?
The Court in Almaty on the Side of Nazarbayev's Ex-Son-in-Law?
The Almaty city court overturned the decision of the Bostandyk district court, which did not recognize Aliya Nazarbaeva's ex-husband Daniyar Khasenov as bankrupt, and sent the case for reconsideration, reports Nege.kz.
The first instance court decided that Khasenov did not prove that he had taken all necessary measures to repay the debt, and therefore was denied bankruptcy recognition.
The Almaty city court disagreed with this. Considering that Khasenov entered into an agreement with the creditor until January 1, 2025, and could not fulfill his obligations for more than a year, providing additional documents to confirm attempts to settle the debt is not mandatory.
“The determination of the Bostandyk district court dated October 6, 2025, is to be overturned. The bankruptcy case of Khasenov is to be sent for reconsideration,” the court's decision states.
In his statement, Khasenov noted that he has no property. He also added that in the last three years before going to court, he did not take any actions that could harm the creditors, such as reducing assets or transferring them to third parties.
Khasenov's debt to the "Problem Loans Fund" amounts to 23.8 billion tenge, arising from a loan agreement signed in 2003 with JSC "Kazkommertsbank." The obligations were secured by a written guarantee from Daniyar Khasenov.
Khasenov is a former football player and one of the ex-top managers of KTZh. He has children with Aliya Nazarbaeva.
…I can’t believe that Khasenov really has no property. Bankruptcy is a clever way to avoid repaying a debt that reaches almost 47 million dollars. Given the cancellation of the first instance court's decision, there is a likelihood that this time the decision will be in favor of Khasenov. From experience, I know that after an appeal, the results can change.
Chevron Will Continue Operations in Kazakhstan
During preliminary consultations, Kazakhstan agreed to further cooperation with Chevron at the Tengiz field, write the authors of the t-channel DALA INSIDE, citing a source.
However, the next contract, according to preliminary information, will not be as long-term as the previous one:
“Kazakhstan plans a contract for 20-25 years, while Chevron wants 30 years. There are technical disagreements between the parties, but a fundamental agreement has been reached.”
The Kazakh side also requested to increase the share of local specialists in the management of TCO. In 2028, a Kazakh specialist may replace William Jacobi as director. Chevron is not opposed to this.
The contract between Kazakhstan and Chevron for Tengiz expires in 2033. By 2028, the parties must resolve the issue of extension. The field provides Chevron with about 23% of its global oil reserves.
Chevron also owns a stake in Karachaganak, the development license for which is valid until 2037.
Currently, in TCO, which develops Tengiz, the shares are distributed as follows: Chevron — 50%, ExxonMobil — 25%, Kazakhstan — 20%, and Lukoil — 5%. Initially, the shares were evenly divided between Chevron and Kazakhstan, but in 1994-1996, Kazakhstan sold half of its share to ExxonMobil for 1 billion dollars and later transferred 5% to Lukoil. Due to sanctions against Lukoil, the issue of its share in TCO must be resolved in the next 11 days. If Lukoil does not find a buyer, Kazakhstan may become the main candidate to buy this share, according to the publication.
…By the way, it is known that a consortium consisting of Chevron and Quantum Capital Group is claiming Lukoil's assets, which plans to divide them between themselves. If the application is approved by the U.S., Chevron may increase its stake in the project by 5%.
Renaming Peak Nursultan to Qantar
Marathon runner Erengayip Kuatayuly proposes to change the name of the peak, which was previously named after ex-president Nazarbayev, to Qantar, reports Adyrna.kz.
“Recently, while at the top, I thought: the mountain is still called Nursultan, it would be right to rename it to Qantar. This would be a tribute to the memory of the victims of the January events. I hope that deputies Ermurad Bapi and Bakhtzhan Bazarbek will support this initiative,” the deputy expresses his opinion.
This peak, 4376 meters high, is visible from almost every point in Almaty. Until 1935, it was called Peak Malaya Almaty, then from 1935 to 1997 — Komsomol Peak, and then it was renamed Nursultan. In 2023, it was named Peak Almaty, but this name has not yet been entered into the State Register of Geographical Names of Kazakhstan and is likely used only within the Federation of Mountaineering.
Compared to Peak Almaty, which is 696 meters lower than Big Almaty Peak, it is customary for Kazakhs to name mountains based on nearby rivers and water bodies. Therefore, Big Almaty Peak likely got its name from the source of the Big Almatinka River and Big Almaty Lake, the publication notes.
…By the way, it is interesting why Peak Furmanov has retained its name. Regarding Peak Nursultan, I agree with the marathon runner, but I doubt that the aforementioned deputies will raise this issue. The topic of the January events of 2022 remains painful for the authorities, and these deputies seem unprepared for an open discussion.
Three Classes and Marriage at 13
Journalist Ruslan Otepbay shared the story of a large family from the Karasai district of Almaty region on his YouTube channel, reports the information portal Sn.kz.
Meirambek Nazarova, a mother of four children, is a citizen of Uzbekistan and has no documents. She lives in a rented house without the necessary conditions. Her common-law husband has several additional wives and does not provide any support for the children.
The eldest daughter Fatima, 20 years old, was forcibly married at 13 to a 30-year-old man at the behest of her stepfather.
“I lived with my first husband for only 8 months. When the authorities found out that I was 13, they took me away. Last year I married again, and we have a son. My younger sister often missed school because of my stepfather. He believes that boys and girls should not be together — it’s haram. And he treated me the same way; I only finished 3 classes,” she tells in the video.
A neighbor told the journalist about the situation in the family. They were provided with free housing for three years by a charitable foundation.
…I remember that my grandmother also got married at 13, but that was over a hundred years ago. I watched this episode and am amazed that against the backdrop of modern technology and progress, such things still exist. A half-collapsed temporary house, a coal stove, unsanitary conditions. Girls in headscarves, an illiterate woman with many children, allowing a pseudo-religious “husband” to marry off her underage daughter. I am convinced that there are many such families in our countryside.
