There are small populations of religious minorities, including Russian Orthodox and Baptists as well as other Christian denominations and Baha'is. The government identifies several Muslim groups as extremist groups. This definition is likely based on whether or not the Muslim groups are seen as a threat to the government.
Freedom of religion is protected by the Constitution.
Although the majority of the population is Muslim, the government seeks to maintain a secular state in order to counter Islamic fundamentalism. This secularization is often anti-religious in nature. In May of 1998 the government passed a law to prohibit the creation of political parties with a religious orientation. This restriction has since been lifted and two members of an Islamic party sit in the lower House of Parliament. Religious organizations must be registered with the government under the Law on Religion and Religious Organizations.