On September 15, 2025, in Astana, the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, in collaboration with the Al-Azhar Academy for Islamic Studies (Egypt), held the Second Meeting of the Joint Standing Committee.
The meeting was held in accordance with a Memorandum of Cooperation and was on the topic: “Spiritual Leadership and International Partnership as a Guarantee of Sustainable Peace and Security: The Experience of the Center and the Al-Azhar Academy.”
The event focused on the role of spiritual leadership in fostering global understanding and on strengthening the partnership between Congress participants to advance interfaith dialogue.
The round table brought together members of the Working Group of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, its partners, and representatives of international organizations, religious scholars from Kazakhstan, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan.
The meeting was officially opened by Nauryzbai Taganuly, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan. Key speakers included Maksat Ramankulov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Prof. Muḥammad El-Gendy, the Secretary-General of Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy (AIRA); Bauyrzhan Bakirov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue; and other prominent religious scholars and institutional leaders.
Among the notable participants were Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Duwaini, Member of the Council of Scholars of Al-Azhar; Salama Gomaa Dawood, President of Al-Azhar University; Mohammed Zia Ul-Haq, Director General of the Islamic Research Institute of the International Islamic University Islamabad; Rudraksha Sakrikar, Adjunct Professor at Somaiya Vidyavihar University (India); Nahla Sabri Al-Saeedi, Advisor for International Affairs to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed El-Tayeb; and Yershat Ongarov, Vice-Rector of the Kazakh-Egyptian Islamic University “Nur-Mubarak”, Mohamed Yousri Jaafar, Professor of ‘Aqeedah and Philosophy at Al-Azhar University; Ilkhomjon Bekmirzayev, Senior Research Fellow at the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan; and Reza Mahmoud Mohamed El-Sayed, Associate Professor of Islamic Culture at Al-Azhar University.
In his speech, Muḥammad El-Gendy emphasized the critical importance of interreligious dialogue for addressing global conflicts and reaffirmed the Congress’ role as a key platform for fostering peace and understanding among nations and religious communities.
Mohammed Zia Ul-Haq highlighted Kazakhstan’s leadership in promoting spiritual diplomacy, interfaith harmony, and the values of peaceful coexistence. He specifically commended the country’s consistent initiatives aimed at fostering global interreligious dialogue.
The Deputy Chairman of the Center's Board expressed appreciation to all participants, recognizing their collective efforts that have helped transform the Congress into a leading global platform for enhancing mutual understanding and interreligious cooperation.
Continuing the event, the participants commended Kazakhstan’s efforts in promoting interreligious dialogue and supporting cultural diversity. It was emphasized that the Congress should continue to strengthen cooperation between religious leaders, policymakers, and international organizations in addressing the pressing challenges of the modern world.
Participants emphasized that the policy of dialogue of the Republic of Kazakhstan, led by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has become a cornerstone of interethnic and interfaith harmony. Moreover, this policy has successfully promoted the ideas of humanism and the convergence of religions and cultures in pursuit of global peace.
Upon conclusion of the event, the participants adopted a set of recommendations to further advance the study of interfaith and intercivilizational dialogue, and to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and its institutions.
