Kairat MAMI, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions
Over the years of independence, Kazakhstan
has created its own unique model of society of interethnic and
inter-confessional accord known and recognized worldwide as the ‘Kazakhstan’s way’. Against the background of interethnic and religious conflicts emerging in the world, such a unique Kazakhstan
experience was in demand at the global level. It is obvious that Astana
became a meeting point and an interactive platform for religious
leaders of the global community.
Globalization
of trade-economic and political relations is accompanied in the world
by globalization of challenges faced by humanity in everyday life. Such a
commonplace concept as ‘modern challenges and threats’ includes a wide
range of issues, that need serious attention and analysis. As the
experience shows, it is impossible to avoid them or move away for the
future. They must be dealt with, since modern challenges directly affect
the today’s life of human and society, in particular, cultural and
spiritual, family values, ideals and guides of life, welfare and safety.
The
fact that religions and spiritual values outlined civilizations and
cultures is a truism. Consequently, every person is a carrier of values
and knowledge that he or she will receive while living in own family,
environment, community and society. As practice shows, one of the
factors of tensions and conflicts in today’s world is the lack of proper
mutual understanding among representatives of different communities
belonging to different religions, faiths and cultures.
It
is the lack of proper understanding is the basis of religious
conflicts, such as the caricature scandals, inter-community clashes,
insult of religious buildings and tombs, artificially provoked fear of
men with regards to migrants and representatives of other religions, as
well as opposition, refusing to understand the spiritual order values of
another person. Unfortunately, the threat of religious extremism and
terror does not diminish; its ideology, hiding behind the holy ideals of
religion, is sowing the seeds of discord and mistrust among people
trying to capture the minds and influence the attitudes of citizens in
different parts of our planet.
In
view of the rise of conflicts and clashes on inter-religious and
intercultural basis, as well as due to the fact that these issues became
global, the world is now actively exploring the essence of the factors
of this problem and looking for ways to tackle it.
In this context, it should be noted that Kazakhstan,
at the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, was the first
state in the history of our time engaged in promoting inter-religious
and inter-civilizational dialogue, and now other countries and blocs
also want to contribute to this good initiative. Kazakhstan,
one of the first among subjects of international law, took
responsibility and actually started promoting dialogue between the
various leaders of world and traditional religions and faiths.
The
first Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, convened
in 2003 at the initiative of the Head of Kazakhstan, began the process
of spiritual rapprochement among the peoples of the world. Later, that
process was joined by other forums, professing the purpose of
establishing and promoting interreligious, intercultural and
inter-civilizational dialogue and understanding, including the Alliance
of Civilizations – the forum that was established upon the joint
initiative of Spain and Turkey, the Community of Sant’Egidio, the Doha
Conference of Interfaith Dialogue, the International Islamic Makkah
Conference, the Madrid International Forum, and others. The Congress of
Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which traditionally meets in
the pearl of Eurasia – Astana takes a special position among these peace-making organizations.
It begs the legitimate question: why Kazakhstan began to deal with this issue and what effect will bring the Congress for our country?
Over
the human history, our country has never been on its sidelines, it has
always been a bridge between civilizations and cultures. The Great Silk
Road passed through the territory of modern Kazakhstan
and served as a channel of mutual cultural and spiritual enrichment of
East and West, North and South. Hellenistic civilization of Alexander of
Macedon extended through the Great Steppe, the Buddha’s teachings and
scientific achievements of the Islamic world reached China and other parts of eastern Eurasia
through the Central Asian territory, brave European travellers, Marco
Polo, Plano Carpini and William Rubruck passed through our territory to
the capital of the Mongol Empire.
The
battle of Talas of 751 between the armies of the Abbasid Caliphate and
Turgesh Khanate on the one hand and the army of Tang China had a great
influence on the history of Central Asia. In our region, Islam, which
had an enormous impact on the rise of cultural and spiritual values, was
spread. On the vast territory, which in the future will be known as Kazakhstan,
the cities, such as Farab, Ispidzhab (Sairam) Sygnak, Sauran, Sarayshyk
and others, emerged and flourished. Galaxy of scientists led by
Al-Farabi made an invaluable contribution to world science.
By
the will of fate, our ancestors were involved in the construction of
the empires of Genghis Khan and Amir Temir. The Central Asian style is
clearly traced in such great architectural monuments built by Zahiruddin
Babur in South Asia as the Taj Mahal (Agra), Lal Qila (Red Fort –
Delhi), Lahore Qila (Lahore fort) and others that are the legacy of
empire.
Of
course, the above is only scant evidence relating to rich and long
history of our country. But they clearly indicate that our ancestors and
the rest world always had active interaction and interpenetration of
cultural and intellectual achievements. Our country has always been in
line with the events that had a significant influence on the formation
and development of panhuman and world’s history.
Now, in our 21st century, what did the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions give to the world and Kazakhstan in particular?
I
have already noted that this international event has become one of the
first summits on promoting interfaith and inter-civilizational dialogue.
The Congress has become one of the most effective engines of the global
process of interpenetration of spiritual values, preaching and rooting
in the minds of the people of holy ideals of traditional religions of
mankind.
The
Congress for the first time contradistinguished the noble ideas of
humanity, building upon centuries of religious teachings, and ideology
of ignorance, extremism and terror.
Here,
we recall the words of great Abay “Love and justice are the principle
of humanity” (Àäàìøûëûқòûң àëäû: ìàõàááàò, ғàäәëәò, ñåç³ì). Indeed, the
world at all times relied on these values, by virtue of love, justice
and high feelings, peace and stability, wellbeing and prosperity were
always maintained in the human community.
Three
previous Congresses of religious leaders were attended by leaders and
prominent representatives of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism,
Shintoism, Taoism and other traditional religions. They held a rich and
meaningful conversation on the spiritual rapprochement of communities
and nations, made joint declarations and statements of religious leaders
addressed to ordinary people, countries and peoples.
Within
the Congresses the links among members of different religions and
denominations were established and strengthened. This contributed to the
growth of confidence and mutual respect among the religious
communities, which are the main components of peaceful coexistence and
harmony in our common home – the Earth. Kazakhstan, inspiring the global
community by good beginnings, won respect and favour in the hearts of
people in different parts of the world, because the Congress is held by a
young state, guided with confidence to the future by the Leader of
nation, the founder of the country. The Congress is held by a relatively
young community that achieved impressive success in its independent
development and became a model of development in the region. The
Congress is held by the country that specifically deals with elimination
of marginalization of any ethno-cultural or religious part of society.
Contribution
to the development of inter-religious dialogue raised the prestige of
our country in the community of nations, in the global structures
Kazakhstan became recognizable by its good beginnings, and as a country
with a booming economy and society, united on the basis of mutual
understanding and mutual respect.
This year, the capital of Kazakhstan
will witness the fourth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional
Religions. Another spiritual Congress, held under the patronage of
President Nursultan Nazarbayev, will take place in Astana on 30-31 May
under the motto “Peace and Harmony as the Choice of Mankind”.
Within
the framework of the fourth Congress a number of thematic blocks will
be considered. In particular, the importance of the subject “The Role of
Religious Leaders in Achieving Sustainable Development” is defined by
the significance of the spiritual leaders’ mission to ensure safe
development of humanity, harmony and mutual respect in our communities.
The contribution of spiritual leaders of different religions in the
resolution of global economic and social issues at the national and
international level will also be discussed and noted.
Within
the subject “Religion and Multiculturalism” the development of modern
society, consisting of representatives of various religions, faiths,
races, cultures and geographies will be discussed. Today, the model of
‘integration without assimilation’ is one of the most pressing issues of
our time. Experts believe, multiculturalism should allow for
interpenetration, enrichment and development of cultural and spiritual
values, and respect for different ethnic and religious identity, for
other philosophical beliefs should prevail in society.
The
third thematic block “Religion and the Woman: Spiritual Values and
Contemporary Challenges” will address the issues of strengthening the
moral and spiritual foundations of society and the revival of
traditional family values, since these values are a precondition for
sustainable peace, the key to the knowledge of the meaning and purpose
of human existence. The participants of the Congress are convinced that
the creative role of a woman in family and society should enjoy deep
respect, recognition, and get full support of all people and
organizations.
The
problem of value orientations and needs of today’s youth, its social
preferences will be discussed in the block “Religion and Youth”. And
this is also not accidental, since in the near future the youth of the
world will take a great burden of responsibility for the preservation of
spiritual harmony and mutual respect between cultures and
civilizations.
These
days, the Secretariat of the Congress is actively preparing for holding
the spiritual forum. It will be attended by leaders and representatives
of world and traditional religions of the CIS, the Middle East, Asia,
Africa, Europe and America.
Arrival of the well-known prominent politicians to Astana is also
expected. I believe the high level participants should contribute to
full-fledged dialogue and development of recommendations to be adopted
in the final document of the Congress.
Within
the forum, the first meeting of the Council of Religious Leaders,
established at the suggestion of our President, will be held. The
Council, including prominent religious leaders, will be one of the main
institutions of the forum.
Interest
of the international community to the religious forum, as well as its
agenda and the process of preparation allow for assurance that the
forthcoming fourth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional
Religions will be remembered as a lively and informative event, and will
become a real contribution to mutual respect, mutual understanding and
agreement on the planet. I am confident that Congress will always be at
the forefront of interreligious dialogue for the sake of peace and
prosperity of mankind.
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