Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament, Head of
the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional
Religions Kairat Mami:
“Firm adherence to the secular principles of the state is a solid guarantee for stable development of our society”.
The
meaning of these words is profound. By the statement and the words
“Religion is the realm of the human mind and morality”, the President
emphasized that in any era, in any society, religion should be involved
in education of soul, and in the problems of morality.
The
modern world practice shows that where religion is politicized, and in
secular states, and in the countries where state ideology is based on
religion, certain problems arise. Therefore, we believe the spiritual
perfection of a person is the main purpose of religion. On the eve of
the fourth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which
will be held in Astana in the end of this month, we will share with a
number of our thoughts.
Initiative
More than 7 billion people live on Earth. Their
separation by language, customs and other common features into nations,
according to the beliefs and convictions in religions is a natural
phenomenon, shaped by centuries since the appearance of humanity.
Of course, in the course of separation, the presence of own interests in
each group (nation, people, government or religious movement) is a life
principle. Despite common for all Earth, Air and Sky, humanity has
diverse views and opinions on the phenomena of life. The historical
truth is that in the inevitable origination of ethnic, religious,
inter-state disputes that end in political scandals and wars treat of
loss of thousands of innocent lives willing to live in peace arises. The
humanity remember a lot of religious wars unleashed from the ancient
times to impose their beliefs and convictions, crusades organized with
the aim to elevate one nation over another, and national conflicts.
For people on the planet brutal wars, which were the main danger of the century sunk into oblivion by the end of the 20th century, new trials and challenges, such as religious and inter-civilization conflicts appeared on the arena.
Some
of the terrorist and extremist organizations, scoffing at sacred
religious values drive a wedge between civilizations and religions. It
is clear, when the lack of mutual understanding and respect for
religious values and sacred concepts for each people will reach the
boiling point, there is a danger of bloodshed. The peoples of earth
witness that such concerns gradually cover Europe, Far East, Great
Britain, Africa, South Asia and other countries and territories. On 11
September 2001 a monstrous act of terrorism was committed. This event
showed that the confrontation of interests and views will bring terrible
calamity to the future of humanity. At this crucial moment in the human
history, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev convened the
Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, bringing
together religious leaders under one roof.
At
this summit, the Kazakh people who put forward this initiative, called
on the countries and peoples of the world to preserve peace on Earth – a
common cradle of mankind – called on the religious groups to achieve
co-operation, mutual harmony and understanding.
It
was openly stated that attaching the religious tone to the terrorist
activities was the efforts of provocateurs, since no religion supports
terrorism, that linking of terrorism to any religion is harmful to
millions of people professing that religion.
(Later, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani expressed his opinion on this difficult period: “After
the attack of the World Trade Centre in the U.S. in September 2001 the
term ‘Islamic terrorism’ spread in the world. Then we, the Heads of the
Arab peoples, were silent. At this crucial moment, head of the Kazakh
people, Nursultan Nazarbayev, said: “This is slander, I am categorically
against the use of the terms ‘Islamic extremism’ and ‘Islamic
terrorism’. The World Wars never begun with Islam. It is time to defend
Islam from the various false accusations”. Only after that, the others,
emboldened, began to express their opinion).
After that, the European countries with developed
democracy and the U.S. also began to openly speak and write that it is
wrong to groundlessly label any religion accusing it.
It is essential that through this Congress
initiated by the President of the Kazakh state, the leaders of the world
traditional religions, existing before independently from each other,
for the first time gathered under one roof, sitting side by side,
pledged to jointly fight the common threat, a dialogue based on mutual
trust, harmony, unity and peace was established among them.
They stated that extremism, terrorism, violence and
other kind of malefaction hiding behind religion have no relation to
religion.
At
that time, the forum participants unanimously voted for holding the
Congress on a regular basis and decided to create its working body – the
Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional
Religions.
Kazakhstan,
which gave an impetus to the union, was recognized by the whole world
as a state that reached true social and religious harmony and unity.
No
religion in the world calls for violence, war, injustice and
immorality. The position of religion is peace, justice, purity, patience
and respect for all living created by the Maker. All of them follow the
rule “You did not give life to anyone, and you have no right to take
someone’s life”.
However,
despite this, linking of the world wars, terrorism, destruction,
trafficking in human beings, weapons and drugs with the name of any
religion, as well as the deliberate opposition of one religion to
another, did not stop.
So,
today we must learn to discern and expose the true nature of acts of
aggression and violence, which are masked by the doctrines of
pseudo-religious nature to make their evil thoughts come true.
In
the era of globalization, any threat is much bigger than the sphere of
influence of one country, one religious leader, one head of a separate
state. If the source of threat is deliberately organized from the
outside, no state can destroy it by the roots. In such cases Kazakhs
say: “You will not hear the voice of one, you will not see the dust
behind the lone traveller”. In this situation, only the reliable, deeply
convinced people, in whose honesty no one doubts, who are followed by
the people of the world, can instil confidence in own words, can make
admit the truth.
The
Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which united
under one roof such authoritative, sincerely convinced people, is
exactly such an institution designed to achieve global peace.
Therefore, the President in his statement to religious leaders said:
“Spiritual
leaders – clergies of various faiths were and still remain the patrons
of higher moral values at all times. That is why in these difficult
times the religious leaders are entrusted with a special hope. Today,
more than ever there is a demand for moral and humanistic imperatives of
religion.
It
is you, the religious leaders, can become guides of revival of
spirituality – the main condition for the harmonious development of the
world. In this fact we see the high destination of our Congress”.
Trust
In the era of globalization, where the phenomena
occurring at one end of the globe have a direct impact on the life of
the country at the other end of the world, any threat to human life
ceased to be a problem only in that country. Therefore, Kazakhstan from
the moment of gaining its independence was not limited only to the
decision of its external and internal problems, did not adhere to the
position of a casual observer for the injustices happening in the world,
but actively participated in solving world problems.
At
the first Congress Kazakhstan raised the problem of the prohibition of
terrorism, extremism and unjust wars and non-discrimination of religion,
on the second Congress in 2006, in difficult times, when the situation
sharply deteriorated in the Middle East, there was a war in Iraq, the
world religious leaders, gathered in Astana, called on the countries to
remain on the path of dialogue and take measures to strengthen culture
of peace and harmony. This is a manifestation of the position of
defining universal human problems.
But
the third Congress drew public attention to the terrorist attacks of an
unprecedented scale that occurred in various parts of the world, to the
more exacerbated situation in Afghanistan, where extremists again
“raise their heads” that threaten stability of the region, as well as to
the trafficking in drugs produced in this country around the world.
At this summit, the President of Kazakhstan proposed a new model of the world:
First, it is a fair economic model. It should be based on fair and impartial global
financial and monetary system, where there is no place for deception and
squander. Where wealth produced by the mankind will be forwarded to the
creation and progress of each person, his spiritual growth and
improvement.
Second, this is a fair political model of relations between states.
The interests of the world, rather than of individual countries should
be the focus here. The updated system of international relations should
not be divided into large and small countries, into ‘good’ and ‘bad’
people. This new world should become the world of universal trust and
respect, partnership and dialogue.
Third, this is a new approach to global security. Decisive steps to develop new
forms of international cooperation, which can stabilize the situation on
the planet, make it safe, are required. More efficient mechanisms for
combating terrorism and drug trafficking are needed. It is especially
important to bring together all mankind in the global movement toward a
nuclear-free world.
Year
by year, attention and credibility to the Congress of World and
Traditional Religions is increasing. The Congress took upon itself the
mission to analyse major problems, discuss the issues of common concern,
and instil in people such eternal values as kindness, charity,
humanity, positive impact on the current political situation, friendship
between people. For example, in 2003 the first Congress was attended by
representatives of 17 religious organizations from 13 countries, in
2006 the second Congress was attended by 29 religious delegations from
26 countries. In 2009 at the third Congress 77 delegations from 35
countries worldwide met. And this year there will be no less
representatives. Of course, Kazakhstan did not stay away from religious
summits held in other countries at various levels and on different
topics. Generally, there will be no harm from a number of similar
structures promoting peace throughout the world. Each of them has its
own peculiarities, differences in the subjects raised. However,
according to experts, none of the initiators could unite the famous
leaders of world and traditional religions in such a composition, as
Kazakhstan.
This
demonstrates the confidence of religious leaders in performance of the
Kazakhstan Summit, compliance of the words with the deeds. So today in
the international arena the Congress is characterized by its efficacy,
making a special contribution to the process of dialogue between
civilizations. Our main goal is to reduce unnecessary negative effects
to society through religion, based on the opinions of influential and
respected people.
It
is impossible to create a single religious space. No matter what
religion we profess, what nation and society we belong to, we must live
according to the principle of mutual respect and tolerance. Undoubtedly,
it is good that young people tend to faith, religion, and pure sinless
life. But some of them are wrong due to the lack of knowledge they give
loose to fanaticism and even become the victims and tools in the hands
of terrorists. In this situation, great responsibility rests on the
religious leaders who can instil the true values of their religion in
young people, can help the youth understand true and false belief in
order that young people were not in the ranks of the astray.
At
that, if the State at its level cannot solve the problems of
contemporary education, employment, human rights protection among youth,
it can also become a factor exacerbating the social situation. In this
respect, Kazakhstan holds its youth policy comprehensively and
systematically. For example, as a result of adoption of the “Balapan”
Programme the number of preschool institutions increased. By 2020,
across the country this programme is planned to be implemented for 100%.
The secondary education also undergoes the reforms; a single vertical
of state quality control is introduced. Human capital became a key
factor in the development of innovative economy and knowledge.
In
our country credit financing of science and knowledge areas is a policy
aimed at ensuring social protection of students. The state allocates
large funds to finance education on an annual basis. The International
University was established in Astana. Prestigious universities of the
world are partners of this new institution.
Thousands
of students are annually sent abroad for training in the best world
universities. All this is done in order to improve the quality of human
capital, so that young people were adapted to a new life, new
technologies, and new social relations and aimed at innovative searches.
Yet,
there are evil forces in the world that want to use youth as a tool of
aggression and violence. Poisoning the minds of young people, who are
still unable to distinguish good from bad, who have no set worldview,
with dangerous ideas, luring with money, they are pushing youth to such
criminal acts as terrorism, bringing threat to all humanity. In the era
of globalization, it is no longer the matter of one state to save the
future from the world threats by youth. This is the meaning and
importance of raising the topic “Religion and Youth” at the upcoming
Congress of religious leaders.
This
subject is determined in accordance with the proposals made by the
participants of the third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional
Religions. This side event will update the issues concerning value
orientations and the needs of today’s youth, the rights of young people
in the context of universal moral values, moral choice in the light of
contemporary social preferences among young people, attitude and
participation of young people in new religious movements, the role of
religion in shaping and development of spiritual and moral culture of
youth in search of causes and conditions of crime and suicide among
young people in order to combat and eradicate them, etc.
Four
side events are planned at the fourth Congress, and the fact that one
of them is devoted to the subject “Religion and Woman: Spiritual Values
and Modern Challenges” is not accidental.
The
main reason for raising this problem, which is a substantial feature of
this forum, is that a woman-mother and her rights represent a common
human issue. However, no religion supports limiting the rights of women,
violence against them. Hence, it is possible to vouch for a decent
future for mankind, through improved knowledge, spiritual and religious
knowledge, increasing the intellectual level and education of women,
bringing new inhabitants of earth into the world and bringing them up
from the cradle.
Today,
there are almost no areas where women work. However, the protection of
their rights is not so clear. A concern of international organizations
is the spread of domestic and sexual violence, despite the slogan
proclaiming that “Women and Men Have Equal Rights”.
If
not mentioning the use of women in drug trafficking, in the role of
victim for terrorist purposes, we still have the trafficking in women
and girls and other violence against women. Recruiters-terrorists may
use a difficult social status of women; there are those among women who
due to the lack knowledge are poisoned by blind faith.
So,
the issues of women’s occupational safety, termination of sexual
violence against women, reduction of labour hours for women, retirement
age and the issue of the opportunities for women to increase their
knowledge are on the world agenda.
Here
we can give an example of state gender policy of the Republic of
Kazakhstan, based on national and international experience of gender
equality, taking into account the civilizational, religious and cultural
peculiarities of the international community.
The
direction aimed at organizing the life of our women, based on
succession, pragmatism, principles of equality and religious tolerance,
gives a moral right to easily raise the problems of women during the
Congress of religious leaders.
However,
our achievements in protecting the rights of women, families and
children are recognized globally. An argument could be that our country
ranks 41st among 134 countries, leaving behind 14 countries
of the EU, according to the report of the World Economic Forum “Global
Gender Differences – 2010”.
The
State Gender Policy, which is one of the most important parts of the
country’s domestic policy, is implemented in accordance with the basic
gender laws and the Strategy for gender equality in the Republic of
Kazakhstan for 2006-2016, approved by the Decree of the President of the
State.
In
the Strategy, according to the rules of the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women gender
indicators devoted to Kazakhstan are defined.
Of
course, if the speeches about women’s rights proclaimed from the high
tribunes are not based on laws, there will be no progress. Kazakhstan
can openly declare about the solution of this problem before the world
community. For example:
In December 2009 the Law “On State Guarantees of Equal Rights for Women and Men” was adopted;
The
same year the Law, aimed at strengthening measures against offenders in
the family “On Prevention of Domestic Violence” was adopted;
In
2006-2011 the Concept for Development of Civil Society in the Republic
of Kazakhstan and the Law “On State Social Order” were adopted.
Besides,
the National Commission and the Association of Business Women of
Kazakhstan, together, created a project “Club of Women Politicians”.
These
and other laws and specific activities enable the weak half of the
society to develop their ideas in any field of labour and business.
This
strategy focuses on further development of women entrepreneurship,
increasing competitiveness of women in the labour market, achievement of
gender balance in the economy.
In
our country, much attention is paid to the health of a mother and a
child. Support for the family, increasing the credibility of marriage
and family relations is a priority of the state policy.
Kazakhstan,
in the former post-Soviet space, is the only state where special
departments to combat violence against women were established even in
the regional departments of internal affairs. Today, many crisis centres
help protect the rights of women. Non-governmental organizations play
an important role in addressing gender equality issues. Currently, about
25 thousand of non-governmental organizations operate in Kazakhstan,
250 of them deal with problems of women, families and children.
In
the era of globalization, addressing of the problems of women-mothers
at the global level, harmonization of laws and attitudes is difficult to
imagine without a policy of cooperation with international
organizations. Signing of a memorandum of cooperation in the field of
gender equality, aimed at cooperation in the field of gender and family
and demographic policy with the international public fund “Dialogue
Eurasia” and the USAID is the evidence to it.
In
2010, the Council on the subject “Promotion of Gender Balance and
Women’s Participation in Political and Public Life”, held in Vienna
under the Chairmanship of Kazakhstan in the OSCE, was attended by 257
people from 53 countries worldwide.
Given
that in the history of the organization for cooperation, this council
on the humanitarian dimension was attended by the great number of
participants, overseas there is an interest in the policies pursued by
our state with regard to women.
From
the moment of gaining independence, highlighting the policy of the
proper organization of women’s life, at the Congress of Women of
Kazakhstan the head of state outlined the prospects for further
promotion of gender and family and demographic policy. This means that
the proverb “Homeland begins with the family” becomes the position of
the state.
If
so, then the planned discussion at the Congress of Leaders of World and
Traditional Religions of the problems: the role of women in family and
society; women’s rights in the context of universal spiritual values;
responsibility of women for the future of the nation, the planet; the
role of women and women’s organizations in the field of intercultural
and interreligious harmony (sharing experiences), etc., is not only a
substantial feature of this forum, it is also an opportunity to present a
favourable policy of Kazakhstan in the organization of life of mothers
to the world.
Tolerant
development of diversity, multi-ethnicity and multi-confessions is a
pledge of peace and harmony on the planet. In the era of globalization
the attempts to fit the nature of ethnic and cultural diversity, taking
shape over the centuries, under the banner of one culture and
understanding are strengthening. Therefore, the problems of
multicultural existence and dialogue are extremely relevant for modern
society.
At
the upcoming forum the planned discussion by world and traditional
religions of issues of identity and development of peoples, their
cultures and religions, the nature and national unity, the ideology of
multiculturalism, focusing on the phenomenon of multiculturalism as an
aspect of tolerance and development policy, preservation of cultural
differences, etc. emphasizes the importance and actuality of the
subject.
In
many parts of the world an aversion to alien ethnic culture, the
perception of it as ‘a relic of antiquity’ is developed, and it is
understood as a sign of ‘high culture’ and ‘innovation’. This leads to
the fact that in one state where people live peacefully due to the
outside influence the risk of separation into groups, violation of the
integrity and harmony in the country arises.
Here
religious fanatics, who exploit the concept of national traditions and
peculiarities, historical ethnic culture, do their bid. Rejecting the
human factor in the religious consciousness, they are amenable to blind
fanaticism. Adhering to intolerant judgments “It must be so, and not the
other way”, they divide mankind into enemies and friends on the basis
of religion, tradition, origin, race, and other features. Those who
disagree with them are forced or simply destroyed. The known from the
ancient history religious wars and terrorist acts, riots due to racial
discrimination and bloodshed battles in an attempt to elevate one noble
nation over the other testify that.
At
the present time of developed civilization, when the consciousness
progressed, and scientific knowledge and achievements began to conquer
ignorance, the perception of diversity, not as the controversial
structure, but as a decent respect for the gift of the Maker leads to a
peaceful life.
Today’s
life of united people of Kazakhstan, with a strong spiritual heritage
of different ethnic groups and wealth of religious beliefs with
established tolerance, religious tolerance, openness to everything new,
is a good example for the world. This is evidenced by the creation of
the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, which became a new trend in the
world practice, which gives an opportunity to solve the problems of
intercultural dialogue on a new stage of development of inter-ethnic
relations at a high level.
On
the political positions and for the sustainable development of the
newly established, independent, multi-ethnic, multi-confessional state,
the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan was established in accordance with
the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan of 1 March
1995 as an advisory body to the head of state.
Largely
due to the activity of the Assembly in Kazakhstan a unique model of
interethnic and interreligious harmony, where every citizen, regardless
of ethnicity or religion, has and enjoys the fullness of human rights
and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, was formed.
Today,
in our country all necessary conditions for the development of
cultures, languages and traditions of all ethnic groups are created.
Currently, more than 800 of ethno-cultural associations, 28 of them of
the national scale, operate in our country.
Newspapers
and magazines are available in 15 languages, radio programmes in 8, and
TV channels show in 7 different languages. 88 schools, in which
education is given completely in the Uzbek, Tajik, Uighur and Ukrainian
languages, operate. In 108 schools languages of 22 ethnic groups of
Kazakhstan are taught as a separate subject. Besides, 195 specialized
language centres were opened, where not only children but adults can
learn languages of 30 ethnic groups. In addition to Kazakh and Russian
theatres, four national theatres – Uzbek, Uighur, Korean and German –
work in the country. Every year, dozens of new books in the languages of
ethnic groups of Kazakhstan are published.
The
task of the Assembly, in addition to the revival, preservation and
development of national cultures, languages and traditions of the people
of Kazakhstan, assistance to the state bodies in combating extremism
and radicalism in society and attempts aimed at infringement of human
and civil rights and freedoms is rendered.
With
regard to the role of the organization in politics, nine members of the
Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan are elected by
the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, and they represent the interests
of all ethnic groups of the country, give due recognition to all draft
laws relating to inter-ethnic relations.
Therefore,
Kazakhstan, in contrast to many countries facing the crisis of
multiculturalism, having found a new path of development, has a moral
right to raise the issues of peace, harmony, mutual understanding and
cooperation among the countries, peoples and faiths at the Congress of
Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, and through the forum
present to the world its project “Á³ðë³ã³ì³ç æàðàñқàí!” (“We are a
team!”).
Peace
is impossible without tolerance. Its main principle, having a profound
and meaningful sense, is the recognition and acceptance of other
civilizations, cultures and religions with their distinctive features
and beliefs. Only then, no state will see violation of integrity and
accord, intervention in the national and religious affairs of other
countries is unacceptable.
Therefore,
at the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, the
issues of peace, harmony, mutual understanding and cooperation among the
countries, peoples and faiths lay in the basis of the position of
Kazakhstan considering its duty to convey to the mankind the imperative
formed for centuries.
Therefore, only through patience and unity we can achieve success in the
struggle against such manifestations of universal evil as terrorism,
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or any other, drug
trafficking and its consequences, environmental destructions, severe
physical and social diseases of our time.
The
upcoming Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions again
provides an opportunity to bring this truth to the entire global
community, and show peaceful policy of the Kazakh people, based on
harmony and tolerance, to all countries.
President of the country Nursultan Nazarbayev at the 19th
session of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan in his speech said:
“Its conduct is the greatest gift of Kazakhstan to building global
tolerance as an essential principle of world order in the 21st century”.
