On April 6 of this year, the Chairman of the Board of the N. Nazarbayev Center for Development of Interfaith and inter-civilization dialogue Bulat Sarsenbayev met with the Apostolic Nuncio to Kazakhstan, Archbishop Francis Assisi Chullikatt.
During the meeting, Bulat Sarsenbayev noted the role of spiritual leaders of the Catholic Church in Kazakhstan, who act as an important link in ensuring peace and interfaith harmony, promote tolerance and respect for the representatives of different religions.
This year marks the 29th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the Vatican. During this time, Kazakhstan and the Vatican have established constructive interaction based on full mutual understanding and cooperation. «For Kazakhstan, 2021 is marked with important dates - this is the 30th anniversary of Independence, as well as the 20th anniversary of the historic visit of Pope John Paul II to Kazakhstan, which is one of the main events in the development of relations between our countries and a clear confirmation of mutual agreement and deepest trust», - said Bulat Sarsenbayev.
One of the important topics of the meeting was a discussion of the upcoming XIX session of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2022, headed by Maulen Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Information and Social Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, as well as the next VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which received international recognition and became an important element of global inter-civilization dialogue.
In turn, the Ambassador of Vatican in Kazakhstan has noted the role of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in strengthening of interethnic and interdenominational consent, and also has assured, that the Apostolic Nunciature will apply all necessary efforts for maintenance of cooperation of Vatican with Kazakhstan on the questions of providing of interreligious consent and progress of intercultural dialogue in the world.
In addition, His Eminence Francis Assisi Chullikatt emphasized the importance of the signed document «On Human Brotherhood for Peace and Coexistence» between Pope Francis and the Supreme Imam of the largest Islamic University «Al-Azhar» Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb to implement specific measures to achieve mutual respect, unity and peaceful good neighborhood of religions, and also confirmed the intention of further interaction with the N. Nazarbayev Center as part of the preparatory work for the XIX meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress and the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
At the end of the meeting, Bulat Sarsenbayev, Chairman of the Board of the N. Nazarbayev Center, invited the Apostolic Nuncio to participate in the international photo exhibition «The Way of Peace and Harmony», dedicated to the world religion - Christianity.
