On December 7 of this year, in Nur-Sultan, on the eve of the country's main holiday – the 30th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the support of the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an international conference was held on the site of N. Nazarbayev Center for Development of Interfaith and Intercivilization Dialogue on the theme: «Interfaith harmony – the basis of the Independence of Kazakhstan».
The event was attended by Vice Minister of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan S. Yegizbayev, well-known Kazakhstani politician K. Sultanov, Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security of Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan A.Kuspan, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, Supreme Mufti Nauryzbay kazhy Otpenov, Deputy Director of the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Leader of the Nation T. Shaymergenov, public figure, Chairman of the Board of JSC «Republican newspaper «Егемен Қазақстан» D. Kydyrali, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, International Association «Peace through Culture» T. Mukhamedzhanov, General Director of the international satellite TV channel «Qazaq TV», Deputy Chairman of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan M. Bekbaeva, Bishop Kaskelensky, Vicar of the Astana Diocese Gennady, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Mary in Nur-Sultan T. Peta, Chief Rabbi in Nur -Sultan Shmuel Karnauch, Deputy Head of the Mission of the Kingdom of Spain in the Republic of Kazakhstan M. Fran Ruiz, UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Kazakhstan M. Friberg-Story, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Kazakhstan Monica Iwersen, Chairman of the Board of N.Nazarbayev Center for Development of Interfaith and Intercivilization Dialogue B. Sarsenbayev, as well as representatives of the scientific and expert community, foreign diplomatic missions, international organizations in Kazakhstan.
During the conference, the participants discussed the achievements of Kazakhstan over the years of Independence in the field of interfaith harmony, strengthening regional and global security, promoting interreligious dialogue in the world.
Thus, in his welcoming speech, Vice-Minister of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan S. Yegizbayev emphasized that the main value of the Kazakh society is the preservation of unity, tolerance and interfaith harmony.
Noting the importance of developing a dialogue between religions and cultures, Ph.D. Professor, Academician of the Academy of Political Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan K. Sultanov noted that «Interreligious dialogue is the largest and most effective channel of social harmony. Any reforms aimed at improving the standard of living in the country, or difficulties and contradictions, can be overcome only through the unity and solidarity of the country. The activity of the First President of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbayev is based on the unity of the country, stability and social harmony. It is our duty to direct our energies to the growth of our young generation through civilization».
In her speech, the Chairperson of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security of Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aigul Kuspan emphasized that from the first days of its Independence, Kazakhstan made efforts to develop a global interfaith dialogue as one of the main priorities of the state. «The First President of the country – Leader of the Nation N. Nazarbayev created a unique model of interreligious harmony, known throughout the world as «the Kazakhstani Way». In this context, the phenomenon is that traditions and religious beliefs of all ethnic groups are carefully preserved in Kazakhstan», - A. Kuspan said.
In turn, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, Supreme Mufti also noted that «Independence is a gift from God. In its preaching work, Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan has always called on people to work for the good of the country and respect our Independence. I believe that every parent should actively foster respect for Independence in their children. School teachers should also urge students to patriotism and educate future professionals on the basis of kindness and morality», - Otpenov Nauryzbay kazhy Taganuly noted.
In addition, Chairman of the Board of N. Nazarbayev Center B. Sarsenbayev also emphasized that «Thanks to the balanced policy of Elbasy N. Nazarbayev, and the verified strategic course of the Head of
State K. Tokayev, we live in a unique state, where are representatives of various confessions and confessions. Our achievements in this area are obvious. A vivid example is the experience of Kazakhstan in holding a high spiritual forum – the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which for the past two decades has been making a significant contribution to strengthening regional and global stability. And our Center, created on the initiative of the participants of the Congress, as a sign of deep recognition of the contribution of the First President N. Nazarbayev, acts as the main guide and core in promoting the basic postulates of the Congress», - Bulat Sarsenbayev emphasized.
In general, the participants of the event noted that in a historically short period of time, Kazakhstan has achieved tremendous success in all areas of activity. Despite the numerous challenges of the time, the country managed to build a sovereign, free and strong state, thanks to the unity of ethnic groups, representatives of different confessions and religions living in harmony on the territory of Kazakhstan. Today, thanks to the consistent policy of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan continues to support initiatives and actions aimed at the dialogue of cultures, religions, civilizations and is open to broad and effective cooperation in this area.
International experts focused special attention on the exceptional role and outstanding contribution of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy N.A. Nazarbayev in the formation and development of Independent Kazakhstan, the creation of an effective model of peace and harmony between different confessions, the development of interreligious and intercultural dialogue in the world within the framework of a unique dialogue platform – the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
At the end of the event, the conference participants unanimously congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on the 30th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan and wished further prosperity, peace and harmony to the people of Kazakhstan.
