On 18 November 2025, Astana hosted the conference “Future Narratives in Building Interfaith Harmony,” which brought together representatives of government bodies, international organizations, religious communities, the expert community, and youth leaders. The event served as an open platform for discussing contemporary challenges, sharing successful practices, and shaping new approaches to strengthening interreligious cooperation.
The conference was attended by Gulsana Kozhabay, Chair of the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, who delivered welcoming remarks. In her address, she emphasized that peaceful interfaith coexistence remains a key concern for humanity and, over the past three decades, has gained deeper and more systematic development. Despite global challenges, mechanisms of mutual understanding are strengthening worldwide, and the number of interfaith platforms and initiatives is growing. Among them are the Document on Human Fraternity, the Mecca Declaration, the Charta Oecumenica, as well as declarations and initiatives of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and other international organizations. These developments are creating a new foundation for cooperation in an era of rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence.
Several participants highlighted that interfaith dialogue in Kazakhstan has deep historical roots. Rostislav Novgorodov, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kazakhstan, noted that the aspiration to maintain interreligious harmony is “a direct result of the inner strength of our people,” formed through the trials of the past. He emphasized that the people of Kazakhstan, having endured hardship and preserved their commitment to peace and good neighborliness, laid the foundation for a unique model of peaceful coexistence that the country now shares with the international community.
Continuing this theme, Deputy Chair of the Board Baurzhan Bakirov provided a detailed overview of the work of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and presented the outcomes of the VIII Congress held in Astana on 17–18 September of this year.
Further developing the conversation, AROK Chair A. Klyushev emphasized that modern Kazakhstan possesses unique religious diversity, and interfaith cooperation yields results cultivated over many decades. Referring to Paulo Coelho, he underlined the importance of choosing a mindset that shapes the future, stressing that dialogue either evolves – bringing sides closer together – or loses its force. He highlighted the commitment of AROK and SAMK to continuing their joint work with the active involvement of youth religious leaders, noting the need to pass on the experience of friendly relations from the older generation to the younger as a symbolic relay for future leaders.
The Chief Imam of the “Abdurakhman” Mosque in Shymkent, N. Tashkhodzhaev, noted that Kazakhstan rightfully prides itself on consistently strengthening trust and mutual respect among representatives of various faiths. He expressed hope that Kazakhstan’s accumulated experience would be valuable for other countries seeking effective models of interreligious engagement.
During the discussions, participants also highlighted the importance of establishing consultative councils and working groups with the participation of religious communities and young leaders. Such platforms help unite efforts across generations, ensure continuity of experience, and expand opportunities for constructive collaboration.
An important outcome of the conference was the development of proposals for strategic approaches to interfaith cooperation and recommendations for transferring accumulated experience to youth through educational, dialogue-based, and social initiatives.
Concluding the conference, British Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sally Axworthy emphasized the need to continue international partnerships and support initiatives aimed at strengthening interreligious harmony.
Participants expressed a unified position on the importance of further developing interfaith dialogue, reinforcing mutual respect, and creating sustainable platforms for cooperation among religious organizations. The conference made a significant contribution to fostering a culture of concord and promoting positive narratives that enhance stability and harmony in society.
