Guest Lecture on National Identity and Statehood Ideas in the Legacy of Alash Held at the Faculty of Law

On April 8, 2026, a guest lecture was held at the Faculty of Law for students of group SPD-17 with the participation of Serik Seitman, a member of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan, founder of “Alqa” radio, researcher of the national idea in Alash literature, and PhD candidate.

The event was organized with the participation of Candidate of Legal Sciences, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Criminal Law Disciplines, Anel Rakhmetzhanovna Yensebayeva.

During the lecture, students were introduced to the key directions reflected in the legacy of the Alash figures, including issues of national identity formation and the strengthening of the foundations of statehood.

Particular attention was given to the concept of the national code, which encompasses the fundamental values shaping national identity: native land, language, traditions, historical memory, cultural heritage, and traditional religion .

The ideas of prominent Kazakh thinkers — Shakarim Kudaiberdiev, Gumar Karash, and Sultanmakhmut Toraigyrov — were analyzed, highlighting their contributions to patriotism, enlightenment, morality, and social unity. It was emphasized that in their philosophical approaches, religion is understood in close connection with reason and knowledge, where spiritual values, rational thinking, and science form the basis of personal and societal development .

The discussion also involved theologian Oner Yermekuly, Chief Specialist of the Department of Social Projects, who addressed issues of religious belief, the development of tolerance towards representatives of different religions, and the strengthening of interfaith harmony in Kazakhstan. It was noted that Kazakh society has historically developed on the principles of peace, mutual respect, and harmony, and that religion should not be used as a source of conflict. The inadmissibility of distorting religious values for destructive purposes was emphasized.

Students were also informed about criminal liability for extremist and terrorist offenses in accordance with Chapter 10 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

It was highlighted that in case of questions related to religion and belief, students should обращаться to religious leaders and rely on verified official sources, including specialized consultation services and call centers on religious matters.

Special attention was also paid to the constitutional principles of Kazakhstan as a secular state, including:

• prohibition of actions undermining constitutional order and national security;
• the principle of separation of religion and state;
• prohibition of incitement of social, national, and religious discord;
• the duty of every citizen to protect the Republic of Kazakhstan .

In conclusion, it was emphasized that the ideas of Alash remain relevant today and play an important role in shaping legal culture, civic responsibility, and value orientations among youth.