Astana to Host 21st meeting of Secretariat of Congress of Leaders of World, Traditional Religions
By: F. Taherpoor
TEHRAN (Iran News) According to reports, the meeting will be held on Wednesday 11 but the event is to actually start from October 10th with some programs for marking the jubilee of the meeting.
Two delegations from the Islamic Republic of Iran are to participate in this event.
The event will bring together representatives of Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Shintoism from 24 countries, including Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Mongolia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Vatican, and others.
The meeting will be attended by the Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy at Al-Azhar Nazir Ayad, Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, Secretary General of the World Fellowship of Buddhists Montian Thananart, among other religious leaders, political figures, representatives of international organizations, and leading world media.
Since its independence, Kazakhstan has taken some initiatives to play an effective role in many spheres and bringing countries closer together and launching this annual event has been one of the events which is aimed at bringing together nations with different religions.
The idea of creating the N. Nazarbayev Center for Development of Interfaith and Intercivilization Dialogue was initiated by the participants of the VI World and Traditional Religions Leaders Congress in October 2018.
The N.Nazarbayev Center for Development of Interfaith and Intercivilization Dialogue was established by Decree No. 226 of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on April 25, 2019.
Goals and objectives of the Center are: promoting peace and harmony between all religions in an atmosphere of mutual respect; ensuring on an ongoing basis interaction with domestic and foreign religious associations and their spiritual leaders; interaction with international structures (organizations, centers, etc.), conclusion of memoranda of cooperation on issues of interreligious and intercultural dialogue; organizing and conducting of the following events: Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, the Secretariat of the Congress and the Working Group; organizing and participation in the preparation for international, republican and regional conferences, round tables, seminars, events and competitions on religious issues aimed at strengthening interreligious and intercultural dialogue; analysis of the state and dynamics of development of the religious situation in the world; monitoring of materials on religious subjects in foreign and domestic media; assistance to state bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan and participation in the activities of awareness-raising groups of all levels in the implementation of state policy in the field of religion, including on combating religious and other manifestations of extremism; and promoting the Kazakh experience of interfaith dialogue at the international level.
In the face of contemporary global challenges and erosion of the international security architecture, the Republic of Kazakhstan continues to promote and increase the role of religion in the rapprochement of different civilizations, cultures and peoples.
Kazakhstan also shares and promotes its experience globally, as reflected in the idea to convene the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
Through this truly unique institution, which has been working seamlessly for 20 years since the First Congress in September 2003, Kazakhstan showcases to the entire world community an example of national consensus and unity.
The seven (7) Congresses were held in Astana from 2003 to 2022 greatly contributed to the enhanced mutual understanding between Eastern and Western civilizations, developed inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue. Thanks to its commitment to peacebuilding and responsibility towards global processes, Kazakhstan is rightfully recognized and respected at the international level as a global international center for inter-faith dialogue.
