Religious literalism flourishes in Muslim communities that lack vibrant intellectual life and dynamic religious education. Literalist perceptions of Islam constitute the ontological and intellectual foundation of radicalism in the world, in general, and in contemporary Central Asia, in particular.In recent years, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan embarked on comprehensive anti-terrorist activities and adopted complex measures at the official level in fighting radical (depicted as “non-traditional”) interpretations of Islam, since the very liberal attitude of these countries towards all religious groups, which had been adopted earlier, and the lack of state support to the Muftiyat (the civil society body representing the Hanafi Muslims) led to the active penetration of radical religious groups and ideas into their societies. Despite all its merits, however, tightened control over religious organizations and ‘semi-official’ support of the conventional Hanafi interpretation of Islam – indispensable to preserve peace, stability and the future of civil society in both countries – should be considered a temporary policy.