Within the framework of a working trip to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, from 23 to 28 December this year, the Commissioner for the Promotion of the Goals and Objectives of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, Chairman of the Board of N. Nazarbayev Center for Development of Interfaith and Intercivilization Dialogue Bulat Sarsenbayev presented official invitations to the Federal Minister for issues of religion and interfaith harmony of the IRP Piru Nur-ul-Haq Qadri and the President of the International Islamic University of Islamabad Dr. Khatal bin Hamoud Al-Otaibi to participate in the work of the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on behalf of the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Head of the Secretariat of the Congress M. Ashimbayev. In addition, bilateral meetings were held with the Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology in Pakistan Qibla Ayaz, with the special representative of the Prime Minister for religious harmony of the Government of Pakistan and the Middle East, Maulan Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi.
Expressing gratitude for cooperation and joint work to ensure international security, Chairman of the Board Bulat Sarsenbayev spoke about the key goals and objectives of the Center in promoting the global initiatives of Elbasy – the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev, the importance of popularizing the key ideas outlined in the framework of the Congresses of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on the international level.
«Ensuring the implementation of state policy to strengthen interethnic and interfaith harmony has become a priority in the revival and formation of our country. «Peace in our common home» - this expression has become not just a general phrase or a momentary slogan, but a fundamental principle, the basis of spiritual modernization. These values have become the main paradigm of national thinking and the organizing force of the state development of independent Kazakhstan. At the same time, our country has become a platform for constant interreligious dialogue in the form of a large-scale forum - the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Elbasy's initiative to convene the Congress has made a significant contribution to the development of global interreligious dialogue in the name of peace and stability», - said Bulat Sarsenbayev.
In addition, during a trip to Islamabad, on December 27 this year, the Chairman of the Board of the Center took part in the international conference «Peacemaking, national integration, social cohesion and interfaith harmony».
Within the framework of the international conference, world experts from leading research centers, universities, representatives of religious associations, international organizations, as well as authoritative public and political figures discussed topical issues of the development of the religious situation in the countries of the world, strengthening interreligious, intercultural dialogue and spirituality, national integration and social cohesion. Among the participants, President of the International Islamic University of Islamabad Dr. Khatal bin Hamudu Al-Otaibi, Chairman of the Institute of Islamic Studies of the International Islamic University of Islamabad, Dr. Mohammad Zia Ul-Haq, lecturer at the Institute of Islamic Studies of the International Islamic University of Islamabad, Dr. Muhammad Islam, Rector of the International Islamic University of Islamabad , Dr. Masum Yasinzai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs of Pakistan Ali Muhammad Khan, Special Representative of the Prime Minister for Religious Harmony of the Government of Pakistan and the Middle East Maulan Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Federal Minister of Planning , development of reforms and special initiatives Asad Umar, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Asad Qaiser, as well as other scientists, researchers, representatives of the media.
In his speech, the Chairman of the Board of N. Nazarbayev Center emphasized the priority of the potential of partnership relations between Kazakhstan and Pakistan in the interfaith sphere. This was confirmed by the signing of a memorandum of cooperation with a permanent participant of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, Chairman of the Institute of Islamic Studies of the International Islamic University of Islamabad, Dr. Mohammad Zia Ul-Haq.
Following the meetings and events, Bulat Sarsenbayev gave an interview to the leading first Pakistani digital TV channel «Discover Pakistan» in the program «Welcome to Pakistan», noting the prospects for cooperation between Kazakhstan and Pakistan in the interfaith sphere, as well as the importance of holding the Congress of Leaders and World Traditional 2022 in Nur-Sultan.
In turn, the Pakistani side highly appreciated the contribution of N. Nazarbayev Center to the implementation of the international initiatives of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy N. Nazarbayev, which laid the foundation for trust in the country as a new member of the world community, as well as the reforms of the Head of State K. Tokayev in maintaining and strengthening interfaith dialogue.
