Prokhorov D. I.I. Kazas – an enlightener of Karaites and Crimean Tatars

This thesis is a study of the biography and activities of Ilya Kazas, a Karaite enlightener, teacher and public figure in the late XIXth – early XXth centuries. The activities of I.I. Kazas in organizing the first educational establishments intended for training Crimean Tatars and Karaites teachers in Tavrida gubernia (province) undertaken on founding such educational establishment was realized at the end of 60s – the beginning of 70s of the 19th on the initiative of Russian government within state reform of the system of public education of the “non-Russian” who lived on the territory of Russian Empire. The result of the activity of I.I. Kazas in the sphere of educating Crimean Tatars and Karaites was inauguration of some progressive educational institutions. The textbooks of I.I. Kazas were successfully studied in educational establishments of Taurida, Kazan and Ufa gubernias (provinces) and in some capital higher educational establishments as well. I.I Kazas strained every effort to make this establishments become a real embodiment of the idea of Russian-Crimean Tatars and Russian-Karaites interaction and tolerance.