The Chairman of the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan Maulen Ashimbayev in the interview to the national TV-channels told about the importance of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and dwelled on the details of the current forum in the new geopolitical realities, Delovoy Kazakhstan reports.
Maulen Ashimbayev noted that the convocation of the Congress of Religious Leaders was motivated by the desire of Kazakhstan to unite the common efforts to ensure global security. The Senate Speaker reminded that at the origins of the Forum, as the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress was the President of the country Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and increasing with each time the interest of the world community to the Forum emphasizes its necessity and effectiveness of Kazakhstan's foreign policy.
"The first Congress was held in 2003 and was attended by leaders and representatives of 17 religious organizations, including spiritual leaders representing world religions. Today after 20 years and six Congresses, we can say that they played a positive role in terms of dissemination of dialogue culture, mutual understanding, rapprochement of world and traditional religions in the world, in terms of development of united position of spiritual leaders concerning actual problems of humanity development" Maulen Ashimbayev
The Chairman of the Senate pointed out that during all these years there has been a tendency to search for common answers to external challenges and interaction between world religions. Moreover, in recent years, spiritual leaders have shown an example of searching for compromise solutions and a common platform for co-operation. The Forum, in turn, promotes systemic building of bridges between cultures and civilizations, which in this vein is one of the main historical missions of Kazakhstan.
"Since ancient times, our people have adhered to the principles of openness and tolerance, and we have always respected other religions. The culture of openness and tolerance reflects to some extent our history, our geography and our vast steppe. And, as a matter of fact, these kinds of values constitute an important part of our national code. For the years of independence Kazakhstan created a unique model of inter-ethnic and inter-confessional consent which has passed the test of time and shown its stability and perspective" Maulen Ashimbayev
The Head of the Secretariat of the Congress also shared his opinion about the uniqueness of the upcoming Forum. As Maulen Ashimbayev said the VII Congress will be the most representative from the point of view of participation of the spiritual leaders. For the first time the Pope will be present at the Congress. The Supreme Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, leaders of Judaism, Buddhism, representatives of Taoism, Shintoism and other religions will also be among the high guests.
"More than 100 spiritual leaders and leaders of religious organizations have confirmed their participation. In addition, within the framework of the Seventh Congress there will be very interesting sectional meetings, to which are brought the actual questions for many countries of the world, for many social groups, in particular the questions connected with development of education and religious awareness in overcoming radicalism, distrust, xenophobia, providing a peaceful existence of religion of nations. The issue of the role of modern religious organizations in strengthening women's status in family and society will be brought up in a section. Therefore the world community and the world mass media have great expectations from this Congress" Maulen Ashimbayev
The result of the Congress will be a final document – the Declaration of the VII Congress, in which the leaders of world religions will express their views on the importance of solving the most pressing problems of the world. Among these are conflicts, issues related to geopolitical tensions, clashes, social problems and others. The declaration will be circulated as an official UN document.
Thus, the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions will make an important contribution to ensuring inter-civilizational dialogue and strengthening peace and co-operation between countries and will help ensure understanding of ways to overcome global problems.
The Forum along with spiritual leaders will be attended by leaders of the UN, OSCE, ISESCO, OIC, TURKSOY, the World Islamic League and other international organizations.
