On September 24 this year, on the initiative of the N. Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Intercivilizational Dialogue, an international online conference was held in Nur-Sultan on the topic: "Interfaith and intercivilizational dialogue against the background of a pandemic."
The online conference was attended by the Vice Minister of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Marat Almasovich Azilkhanov; Representative of the Islamic World League, Advisor to the Secretary General of the International Organization for Aid, Support and Development. (KSA) - Dr. Abdul Aziz ben Ahmad Sarhan; Chairman of the Board of the International Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (UAE, Dubai) - Mohammed Kamil Al Muaini; Bureau Chief for Islam of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See (Vatican)- Khaled Akasheh; Director General of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Prof. Dr. Halit Eren; Director General of the Islamic Research Institute and Professor of Shariah & Islamic Law at International Islamic University, Islamabad (Pakistan) - Muhammad Zia-ul-Hac; President ImagIndia Institute and, founder, Come, Clean India (New Delhi) - Mr. Robinder Nath Sachdev; Researcher of the Center for Research and Intercommunication Knowledge , Riyadh News newspaper columnist (KSA, Riyadh)- Ali Al Khushaiban; The Head of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to the European Union(Belgium) – Ambassador Ismat Jahan ; Head of the Department of the Caucasus Muslims Office (Azerbaijan) - Gunduz Babayev ; Head of Commercial Office, BBC World News, Eurasia (UK) - Sergey Stanovkin, as well as other international experts, representatives of religious associations, members of the Meeting of Representatives of Religious Associations of Kazakhstan, scientific and expert community.
During the conference, the participants discussed topical issues of the development of interfaith dialogue aimed at strengthening common human values, promoting the ideas of peacemaking, tolerance, peace and harmony in a pandemic.
In his welcoming speech, Altay Abibullayev, Chairman of the Board of the Nursultan Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Intercivilizational Dialogue, noted that the coronavirus pandemic and related factors have affected the lifestyle of every person on the planet. “In the difficult realities of the impact of the pandemic, mortality increased, there was a load on medical institutions, social facilities, almost all international events were canceled. However, despite the current circumstances, we continue our main mission - we promote spiritual diplomacy, actively supported by the Head of State K. Tokayev. In his speech in honor of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted the special role of the development of interfaith and intercivilizational dialogue. In addition, the Day of Prayer, May 14, was very important for all of us, which once again reaffirmed the fact that only through partnership will we be able to cope with the impending serious economic risks and humanitarian problems in the coming post-pandemic era.
Today, it is important to establish a broad dialogue on the development of a new paradigm of security and development, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and recognition of each other's interests, cooperation, tolerance and mutual understanding, Altay Abibullayev emphasized.
In his speech, Vice Minister of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Marat Azilkhanov noted that in conditions when the world is filled with worries and threats, the state, religious associations and civil society should be united. Only through partnership can you achieve success in post-pandemic times. Dr. Abdul Aziz ben Ahmad Sarhan, Representative of the Muslim World League, Adviser to the Secretary General of the International Organization for Assistance, Support and Development (KSA) outlined the importance of strengthening further interfaith dialogue in the world. “In light of the difficult circumstances in the context of the pandemic, certain stages of international negotiations required concerted efforts and solidarity to strengthen civilized dialogue and establish contacts between religions. Because it is one of the most effective tools in the formation of a moderate discourse, praising religions and high human values.
In his speech, Dr. Mohammed Kamil Al Muaini , Chairman of the Board of the International Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (UAE, Dubai) noted that “we live in a country similar to Kazakhstan, where cultural diversity is of great importance. The founding of the Nursultan Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Intercivilizational Dialogue, named in honor of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, is evidence of interreligious harmony. "
Deputy Chairman of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Kazakhstan, Naib Mufti Ershat Ongarov stressed that “Today the consequences of the Covid-19 virus cause concern for the entire world community. Maintaining stability and solidarity in such a difficult period of economic crisis and social tension is one of the most important tasks. "
In general, at this difficult time for the entire world community, a fundamentally important component of the preservation of a tolerant interfaith world is the joint efforts of societies and states to further the effective development of interreligious dialogue, to strengthen universal human spiritual values.
International experts noted the high role of the Nursultan Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Interfaith and Intercivilizational Dialogue in consolidating joint international efforts in promoting the ideas of tolerance, harmony, peacemaking, interreligious harmony and stability in the world.
