From October 10 to 12, 2023, the Commissioner for the promoting the goals and objectives of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, Chairman of the Management Board of the N.Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Inter-Civilization Dialogue Bulat Sarsenbayev held bilateral meetings with participants of the XXI Secretariat of the Congress.
During the meeting with Deputy Secretary General of the Buddhist Association of China - Pu Zheng, Chief administrator of Beijing Baiyunguan Monastery of the Chinese Taoist Association - Master Li Xinjun, B.Sarsenbayev emphasized the participation of a large delegation of Buddhists from Thailand, Mongolia, China, Korea, as well as the Taoist organization and expressed gratitude to the Secretariat participants for cooperation, support and participation in the work of the Secretariat.
At a meeting with the Secretary General of Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy Nazir Mohamed Mohamed Elnazir Ayadad, B. Sarsenbayev noted that Al-Azhar makes a significant contribution to the development of Islamic education and research in Kazakhstan.
Following the meeting, within the framework of the implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation, the parties agreed on the establishment of a «Joint Committee» and the identification of coordinators from both sides to conduct various interreligious and intercultural activities, including a round table in Cairo in 2024.
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During the meeting with the President of the NGO "Foundation for Ethnic Understanding", Rabbi Mark Schneier, the Chairman of the Board of the Center focused on the results of the XXI Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, also agreed to continue working together within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on February 6, 2023.
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During the meeting with the General Secretary of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohammed Abdelsalam discussed further strengthening of cooperation between the Center N. Nazarbayev and the Muslim Council of Elders within the framework of the memorandum signed in 2022.
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Earlier on October 11, 2023, a branch of the Muslim Council of Elders was opened. The idea of opening a representative office was announced at the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Dr., Professor Ahmed Al Tayyeb.
The opening ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions M.Ashimbayev, Secretary General of Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy Nazir Mohamed Mohamed Elnazir Ayadad, General Secretary of the Muslim Council of Elders, Judge Mohammed Abdelsalam. The event was also attended by the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan A.Balayeva, participants of the XXI Secretariat of the Congress, religious figures, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Kazakhstan.
At a meeting with the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, The King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence, Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed AlKhalifa, the key issues of interfaith and intercultural interaction were identified, which are the keynote of the last XXI Secretariat of the Congress. Following the meeting, agreement was reached on the signing of a memorandum to strengthen and develop partnerships and deepen cooperation in the field of interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
Also on the sidelines of the meeting of the XXI Secretariat of the Congress, B.Sarsenbayev met with the Bureau Chief for Islam of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City Khaled Akasheh, Chancellor of Somaiya Vidyavihar University Samir Shantilal Somaiya.
During the bilateral meetings, the parties discussed issues of further promotion of the "Concept of development of the Congress for 2023-2033", developed on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart K. Tokayev, as well as cooperation in the field of interreligious dialogue, holding joint events, including round tables to popularize the tasks of the Congress and the Concept.
In general, following the results of bilateral meetings, the participants of the XXI Secretariat of the Congress discussed a wide range of issues and identified priority areas for further cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels.
The participants of the Secretariat highly appreciated the initiatives of Kazakhstan to promote intercultural and intercivilization dialogue, which have been successful, as well as the organization and holding of the XXI meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress under the leadership of the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions M.Ashimbayev.
Note that the XXI meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held on October 11, 2023 in Astana. Religious leaders and their representatives - participants from 23 countries of the world discussed the implementation of the Declaration adopted at the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Also approved is the Concept of Development of the Congress for 2023-2033, developed on the instructions of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart K. Tokayev. Representatives of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shinto and other religions, as well as international organizations, gathered in the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.
