During the working trip of the Chairman of the Managing Board of the N.Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Intercivilizational Dialogue B.Sarsenbayev to the United States of America, the round table «New York Celebrates Kazakhstan: Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions» was held at the New York City Mayor's Office on 27 June, 2022.
The round table was attended by Ambassador of Kazakhstan to United States Y.Ashikbayev, Chairman of the Managing Board of the N.Nazarbayev Center B.Sarsenbayev, President of the Foundation For Ethnic Understanding Rabbi Marc Schneier, representatives of the Mayor's Office of New York, religious associations, scientific circles and media.
B.Sarsenbayev informed participants about the preparation works of the Center in organizing the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will be held on September 14-15, 2022 in Nur-Sultan.
The Chairman of the Managing Board emphasized that the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions will contribute further promotion of interreligious and intercivilizational dialogue, which is a crucial factor to building a peaceful future for all humanity.
In his turn, Ambassador Y.Ashikbayev noted that the Congress is a universal global interreligious dialogue platform that provides a constructive dialogue on the most important issues of our time.
By the end of the round table B.Sarsenbayev expressed his gratitude to Mr. Y.Ashikbayev and Rabbi Marc Schneier for organizing this event.
Also at the official reception for representatives of the New York City Mayor's Office, religious associations, scientific circles and the media, image materials were presented - videos, brochures, information topics about the activities of the N.Nazarbayev Center, the main stages of the development of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, photographs of six Congresses and their participants were presented.
In addition, during his working trip to New York, B.Sarsenbayev held meetings with the Secretary General of the NGO "Religions for Peace" Azza Karam, Founder and President of Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat, invited to the VII Congress.
During the meetings, the Chairman of the Managing Board informed about the activities of the Centre and cooperation with international religious organizations and institutions in conducting research and expertise on religious issues, as well as preparations for the Congress, which will be attended by more than 130 delegations from 58 states, including Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, Pope Francis, Patriarch Kirill and other religious figures. «Our main aim is to unite people of different faiths for a direct dialogue on complex issues» said B.Sarsenbayev.
Azza Karam and Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat expressed their readiness to take an active part in the work of the upcoming Congress.
The parties discussed practical ways to develop cooperation between the organizations.
As a result of the meeting between the N.Nazarbayev Center and Religions for Peace, sides are planning to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
