Over the last 18 years the Leading young state from Central Asia has managed to build its model of peace and national dialogue based on the principles of unity in diversity, and joint responsibility for the future of the country, respect, and enforcement of the rights of citizens irrespective of their ethnic and religious identity.
This year the country celebrates its 30th anniversary of Independence and internationally recognized that Kazakhstan succeeded in creating its model of peace, national unity, and interfaith dialogue. The great dialog, established by First President of Kazakhstan – Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev, has proven its efficiency and viability. Nowadays, the policy of ensuring interethnic and interfaith accord is being continued under the leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Recently, 19th Session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, hosted in Nur-Sultan (capital of Kazakhstan) on October 5-6, 2021, and we need to draw attention to progressive interfaith policy of this Central Asian state.
The representatives of world religions and confessions such as Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Protestants from 20 countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Israel, Armenia, Russia, Vatican, United Kingdom, Mongolia, Thailand, South Korea, China, Egypt, Japan, India, United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, as well as representatives of international organizations attended to the secretariat session.
The opening ceremony began with the welcoming address from Maulen Ashimbayev, Head of the Congress Secretariat and Chairperson of the Senate of the Kazakh Parliament.
Ashimbayev said that “The current secretariat is taking place amid difficult conditions – along with the pandemic, other global issues have worsened in recent years. Among them are the intensification of international tensions caused by geopolitical and geo-economic factors, the breakdown of the global security system, as well as the intensification of the arms race and the problems of the global environmental agenda. In these conditions, the key task of spiritual leaders is to establish the correct system of values and unite people behind the ideas of peace, social harmony and mutual support for each other”.
High Representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Angel Moratinos underscored the importance of the Congress from the perspective of discussion of the role of religion in society and interaction at the international level for the creation of a stable and secure world.
“This unique platform offers a good opportunity for politicians, religious leaders, international, regional organizations, and all concerned parties to collectively discuss the problems of interreligious dialogue and sustainable development in a more polarized world. The UN Alliance of Civilizations will be actively engaged in the work of the VII Congress,” he said.
Even all the participants commended the contribution of Kazakhstan’s First President Nursultan Nazarbayev to ensuring the peaceful coexistence of all religions and confessions in multi-ethnic Kazakhstan and fostering interreligious and intercivilizational dialogue in the world. They also stressed the role of President Kasym-Jomart Tokayev in the effective development of strategy aimed at seeking solutions for the establishment of peace and harmony.
At the end of the Secretariat session, the venue and date of the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions were chosen, which will take place in Nur-Sultan on September 14-15, 2022.
The participants of the VII Congress-2022 in Nur-Sultan, will discuss the role of leaders of world and traditional religions in the spiritual and social development of humankind in the post-pandemic period. The preparation for the next Congress has already started as participants have agreed on its date, venue and issue.
Finally, only common values would enhance our joint fight against global problems. It is a turning point in worldwide history, when religious leaders can ensure peaceful co-existence among adherents of religion
For reference: The Congress, which was established by Nursultan Nazarbayev, First President of Kazakhstan, after 9/11 in 2001, has been performing its functions for 18 years. There were 17 delegations at the first meeting and more than 200 participants from 70 countries next year. Such progress indicates the growing authority of this platform – people are ready to spend their time meeting with other leaders, expressing their positions, discussing and coming to a common conclusion.
BY TIBEBIR LEALEM
