ALMATY -- The Almaty city government has issued an online map that depicts the locations of all officially registered religious associations, Tengri News reported Tuesday (September 26).
The map is meant to enable its users to report possible extremist activity, if they see religious activity occurring at a spot not listed on the map.
"Citizens can conduct their own monitoring," Beibit Turabayev, director of the Almaty-based Centre for Study and Analysis, told Tengri News. "They can send information about radical organisations either by filling out the form on the website or through a messaging app."
Signs to watch for include individuals "conducting incomprehensible rituals" or "handing out religious literature", he said.
Concerned citizens are encouraged to photograph or video such activities too, he said, adding that if necessary the site moderators will forward the information to law enforcement.
