On September 21, 2021, within the framework of the 30th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the upcoming XIX meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Riyadh, a round table on the topic: «Interfaith and intercivilizational dialogue for peace and harmony» was held online.
The purpose of the round table is to exchange expert opinions on issues of interfaith development, discuss and popularize the conceptual ideas of the Congresses of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions at the global level.
The round table was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, N. Nazarbayev Center for Development of Interfaith and Intercivilization Dialogue with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The round table was attended by representatives of the scientific and expert community, public and state figures, well-known Kazakhstani and international experts, in particular, Representative of the MWL Secretary General, Head of MWL representative office in Italy Abdel Aziz bin Ahmad Sarkhan, Chairman of the Russian-Arab Research and Information Foundation Doctor Majed At-Turks, Professor of the King Saud University Abdullah bin Fahad Al-Lehaidan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the KSA B. Aryn, Chairman of the Board of N. Nazarbayev Center B. Sarsenbayev, Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation A. Musinov, Deputy Director of the Library of the First President RK - Elbasy T. Shaimergenov, Deputy Executive Director of the Nursultan Nazarbayev Foundation A. Margulanuly, Director of the Institute for Analysis of the Religious Situation and Religious Expertise E. Baibol, Head of the Sharia and Fatwas Department of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Kazakhstan, member of the Council of Ulemov S. Urbanuly and others.
The participants of the round table discussed topical issues of the development of interfaith dialogue, the role of the interfaith platform - the Congress in strengthening peace and harmony in society and between countries.
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia B. Aryn noted the high role of the First President of Kazakhstan-Elbasy N. Nazarbayev. Speaking about the merits of Elbasy in establishing unity and harmony over the years of Kazakhstan's independence, he stressed that the wise and far-sighted policy of Nursultan Nazarbayev made it possible to create his own unique model of interethnic and interfaith harmony, which is recognized in the world as the «Kazakhstani way».
In turn, Deputy Director of the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Elbasy T. Shaimergenov outlined the relevance and importance of the upcoming Secretariat and Congress, which is a unique platform for international negotiations that has no analogues. «Today the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is the only regularly operating global platform for direct and constructive dialogue of world confessions to strengthen peace and preserve our civilization as such», - the speaker noted.
Bektenova, the leading researcher of the KazISS under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, shared her expert opinion on cultures and civilizations that are important in the search for new ways and solutions in the development of dialogue.
Summarizing the speeches of foreign and Kazakhstani experts, Chairman of the Board of N. Nazarbayev Center B. Sarsenbayev stressed that the issues discussed today are extremely important for the formation of a humane society.
«As it was noted in the recent Address of the President of Kazakhstan K. Tokayev, an invaluable asset that needs to be preserved and strengthened is interethnic and interfaith harmony. In this regard, I am deeply convinced that the holding of such events around the world contribute to the popularization of a tolerant worldview and respectful attitude towards religions and cultures of different peoples», - B. Sarsenbayev noted.
As a result of the round table, the participants of the event came to a common opinion that it is important for the entire world community to unite the efforts of societies and states to develop interreligious dialogue in order to strengthen universal human spiritual values.
Let us remind, that earlier on the eve of the XIX Secretariat of the Congress 4 round tables were held in India, Pakistan, Czech Republic and Switzerland. Round tables are expected to be held in 8 more countries by the end of the year: Armenia, Hungary, Germany, Iran, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Turkey.
