In this work, the role of ishans and mullahs in the religious and social life of the Kazakh steppe in the pre-Soviet and early years is considered, as well as the policy of persecution of priests by the Soviet authorities is analyzed. At the beginning of the twentieth century, ishans and mullahs played a key role in the spread of Islam among Kazakhs, as well as were important figures in the organization of public life, education and culture. However, with the establishment of Soviet power, an active campaign was launched to abolish religious institutions, which also affected the Muslim clergy.

The Soviet authorities promoted atheism and organized repressions against the ishans and mullahs, demanding the abolition of all religious manifestations. These actions included arrest, deportation, shooting, and other forms of violence. As a result, a significant number of religious leaders were destroyed or forced to emigrate. Repression led to the destruction of the traditional religious structure and profound changes in the life of the Kazakh people.

The work also analyzed the consequences of this persecution for Kazakh society, culture and religious practice and stressed the importance of studying this period in order to understand the historical context of religious and social changes in Kazakhstan in the twentieth century.