Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions

 

"Political conflicts can no longer be solved exclusively on the political level"

N.Nazarbayev, II Congress Opening Ceremony, September 14, 2006

 

 

Under the initiative of President of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbaev the 1st  Congress of the leaders of the world and traditional religions took place in Astana, Kazakhstan from 23 to 24 of September, 2003.

The most authoritative representatives of Islam attended the forum - Sheikh Al-Azhara M.Tantaui (Egypt) and Secretary General of the World Islamic League A.At-Turki (Saudi Arabia), and also well-known figures of clergy - President of the Muslim Organization «Dzhamaat-u-Shabab-e-Islam» S.Al-Nadvi (India), Chairman of Committee of the Islamic Jurisprudence and Law  M.Mogaddam (Iran) and Vice-President of the International Islamic University M.Gazi (Pakistan).

 

At the forum Christianity was presented by delegations led by Cardinal J.Tomko (Vatican), Bishop N.Beins, President of Congregation for Preaching the Gospel, (Anglican Church), Mefodii, Metropolitan of Astana and Almaty (Kazakhstan), Emanuel, Metropolitan of France (France) and I.Noko, Secretary General of the World Lutheran Federation.

Judaism was presented by a delegation led by J.Metsger, Principle Rabbi of Israel, Shinto was presented by a delegation led by M.Sonoda, Management Director of Japan shinto temples, Hinduism was presented by delegation led by the world known scientist - theologian S.Somaja, Buddhism was presented by  delegations led by L.T.Tszjamujan, Vice-President of Buddhism society of China and T.Bulgan, General Secretary of Asian Buddhism conference for peace.

 

The well-known politicians, notably A.Al Аsh-Sheikh, Minister of Justice - the Special Representative of the King of Saudi Arabia, M.Zakzuk, Minister of Religion - the Special Representative of the President of Egypt, T.Hata, ex-Prime-Minister of Japan, V.Sotirov, the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations were invited to participate in the work of the forum as guests of honour.

The 1st Congress greatly contributed to the global process of inter-civilization and intercultural dialogue. The forum reflected efforts the world community focuses on addressing so called clash of civilizations and global challenges induced by cultural and religious distinctions to build a world based on tolerance, development and security.

In their statements the participants and the guests of the forum gave special credits to the Government and the people of Kazakhstan for their efforts to create a model of the interethnic consent in the country that proved to be a universally recognized success.

By having agreed on continuing constructive inter-religious dialogues, the leaders and high representatives of the world and traditional religions made a decision to hold their forums on a regular basis and to establish a permanent body of the inter-religious dialogue – a Secretariat of the Congress. They also adopted a resolution to convene the 2nd Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan from 12 to 14 of September, 2006.

 

The decision to host the 2nd Congress again in Astana is a clear evidence of  respect the international religious community has for Kazakhstan and its role in maintaining the world’s peace and security.

One of the main goals of the forthcoming 2nd Congress will be an arrangement of conditions for religious communities and believers to be involved into building steady civil society, overcoming religious isolationism, counteracting extremism, clericalism and enhancing spirit of tolerance across the world.

As follow on to the 1st Congress of the leaders of the world and traditional religions the four sessions of the working body of the Congress – the Secretariat - were held in the span of September, 2003 to January, 2006.

The Second session of the Secretariat was held in Turkestan, Kazakhstan from 11 to 14 of October, 2004. The representatives of the leaders of the world and traditional religions who attended the 1st Congress participated in the session to have discussions on the following topics:

Following the decisions of the Third session of Secretariat, which took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan from 1 to 2 of June, 2005, the following items were agreed upon:

The working group consists of eight experts who represent Islam (2 experts), Christianity (2 experts), Daoism (1 expert),  Buddhism (1 expert) and Judaism (1 expert).

The Fourth session of Secretariat was held in Astana, Kazakhstan from 25 to 26 of April, 2006.
The main purpose of the session was to make a final review of positions of delegations and to complete in general basic preparation to the 2nd Congress of the leaders of the world and traditional religions.

As a main result of Fourth session the delegates adopted the Agenda of 2nd  Congress.

Under the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbayev the First  Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions took place in Astana, Kazakhstan on 23-24 September, 2003.

The most respectable representatives of Islam attended the forum such as Sheikh Al-Azhara M.Tantaui (Egypt) and Secretary General of the World Islamic League A.At-Turki (Saudi Arabia), well-known figures of clergy President of the Muslim Organization «Dzhamaat-u-Shabab-e-Islam» S.Al-Nadvi (India), Chairman of the Committee of the Islamic Jurisprudence and Law  M.Mogaddam (Iran) and Vice-President of the International Islamic University M.Gazi (Pakistan).

At the forum Christianity was represented by delegations led by Cardinal J.Tomko (Vatican), Bishop N.Baines, President of Congregation for Preaching the Gospel, (Anglican Church), Mefodii, Metropolitan of Astana and Almaty (Kazakhstan), Emanuel, Metropolitan of France (France) and I.Noko, Secretary General of the World Lutheran Federation.

Judaism was represented by a delegation led by J.Metsger, Principle Rabbi of Israel, Shinto was represented by a delegation led by M.Sonoda, Management Director of Japan shinto temples, Hinduism was represented by delegation led by the world known scientist - theologian S.Somaja, Buddhism was represented by  delegations led by L.T.Tszjamujan, Vice-President of Buddhism society of China and T.Bulgan, General Secretary of Asian Buddhism conference for peace.

Well-known politicians, notably A.Al Аsh-Sheikh, Minister of Justice - Special Representative of the King of Saudi Arabia, M.Zakzuk, Minister of Religion - Special Representative of the President of Egypt, T.Hata, ex-Prime-Minister of Japan, V.Sotirov, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations were invited to participate in the work of the forum as guests of honour.

The First Congress greatly contributed to the global process of inter-civilization and intercultural dialogue. The forum reflected efforts taken by the world community to address the so-called clash of civilizations and global challenges induced by cultural and religious distinctions to build a world based on tolerance, development and security.

In their statements the participants and the guests of the forum gave special credits to the Government and the people of Kazakhstan for their efforts to create a model of the interethnic consent in the country that proved to be universally recognized success.

By having agreed on continuing constructive interfaith dialogue, the leaders and high representatives of the world and traditional religions made a decision to hold their forums on a regular basis and to establish a permanent body of the interfaith dialogue – a Secretariat of the Congress. They also adopted a resolution to convene the Second Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan from in September, 2006.

The decision to host the Second Congress again in Astana is a clear evidence of respect the international religious community has for Kazakhstan and its role in maintaining world peace and security.

The Second Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was convened under the chairmanship of President N.Nazarbayev in Astana on September 12-13 2006.

The Congress was attended by more than 160 participants, including 25 religious leaders (7 of them representing Islam, 7 – Christianity, 4 – Buddhism, 2 – Judaism and  representatives of Shinto, Daosism, Hinduism as well as heads of two international religious organizations) and 14 guests of honour from 26 countries of Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Middle East.  Delegation came from Lybia, Thialand, Armenia, South Korea and heads of other international religious organizations of the USA, Switzerland.

Prominent politicians were invited to participate in the work of the forum as guests of honour.

One of main goals of the  2nd Congress was establishing conditions for religious communities and believers to be involved into building sustainable civil society, overcoming religious isolation, counteracting extremism, clericalism and enhancing the spirit of tolerance across the world.

The Leaders of religions who participated in the II Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions discussed the following:
1. «Freedom of religion and respect for representatives of other religions»;
2. «Role of religious leaders in enhancing international security».

Main Documents of II Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions:

1. Declaration of the II Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions
2. Principles of interfaith dialogue
 

Taking into consideration a fruitful exchange of views on the role of religions in promoting interfaith tolerance and enhancing international security, expressing common understanding on the need to continue the constructive dialogue among representatives of the world's religions, the Participants of the Second Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions made a decision:
- To convene the next Third Congress in 2009 in Astana, the Republic of Kazakhstan;
-  Instruct the Congress Secretariat to submit proposals on the date of holding the next Forum.

The Congress Secretariat holds its regular meetings.

 

Additional information on the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is available at the official web-site.