Astana, November 7, 2025.
A meeting took place at the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue between the Chair of the Board, Gulsana Kozhabay, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yoav Bistritsky.
At the beginning of the meeting, Gulsana Kozhabay expressed gratitude to Mr. Bistritsky for taking the initiative to visit the Center and conveyed appreciation for Israel’s consistent support of the ideas and goals of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
The participants exchanged greetings and discussed a wide range of issues related to strengthening interreligious dialogue and advancing cooperation in the humanitarian and spiritual spheres.
“Our Center was established to promote the ideas and goals of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Today, we are paying particular attention to the issues of AI ethics, climate, sustainable development, and youth engagement. Israel has been with us since the very first Congress and has consistently supported dialogue among religions and cultures,” – emphasized the Chair of the Center.
Gulsana Kozhabay noted that Israel is the only country whose delegation includes representatives of four spiritual traditions: Ashkenazi and Sephardic rabbis, the Baháʼí community, and Christianity, represented by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
The sides also discussed opportunities for cooperation with Israeli youth organizations and the potential signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Baháʼí community.
Ambassador Yoav Bistritsky expressed appreciation to Kazakhstan for its consistent policy in the field of interfaith harmony, noting that the country serves as a model of successful religious tolerance.
“Kazakhstan demonstrates remarkable respect for spiritual diversity. It is a country where representatives of all faiths live in peace and security. Visiting synagogues and meeting Jewish communities across the country, I hear the same thing everywhere – there is mutual understanding, respect, and freedom of religion. Believers feel safe here,” said Yoav Bistritsky.
The Ambassador also emphasized the importance of preserving and maintaining the grave of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson in Almaty – a significant pilgrimage site for thousands of Jews – which has been included in Kazakhstan’s National Heritage List.
He stressed that it is important for Israel to continue cooperation with the Center by developing joint initiatives aimed at strengthening trust and spiritual engagement among peoples.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further cooperation in the fields of interreligious dialogue, education, and youth programs.
