NUR-SULTAN (UNA-OIC) – The religious world in all its diversity is waiting for the central event – the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will be held on September 14-15, 2022, in Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan.
The expectation of the world community of this event is confirmed by the fact that this event can gather a record number of delegations – 130 delegations from 60 countries, including representatives of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Shintoism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, etc.
The Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Nur-Sultan has long claimed the title of the main dialogue platform in matters of establishing a bridge between religions.
It is important to emphasize the uniqueness of each Congress held earlier. The First ever common strategic documents between religions were adopted. A Council of Religious Leaders has been established to ensure dialogue and cooperation with other international organizations.
Kazakhstan, being a common home of peace and harmony for more than 130 ethnic groups and where there are about 3,200 mosques, churches, prayer houses, as well as about 4,200 religious associations, with full responsibility and determination, took on the function of interaction of all world clergy. Representatives of Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists, as well as 40 different confessions and denominations peacefully coexist in Kazakhstan. Therefore, this country has become a kind of “hub” of beliefs.
The Congress is expected to be visited by the Head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hissein Brahim Taha, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, Pope Francis I, Patriarch Theophilus III of Jerusalem, Chief Mufti of Russia’s Central Spiritual Board of Muslims Ravil Gaynutdin and other heads of religious denominations and international organizations.
The high level of the guests of this congress more than corresponds to its theme “The role of leaders of world and traditional religions in the spiritual and social development of mankind in the post-pandemic period.”
Thus, the upcoming Congress already includes significant events. But, the main issue will be the dialogue of religions and cultures itself, as a tool for finding the consensus so needed for everyone, which justifies the general desire to discuss and seek solutions to vital issues in the heart of Central Asia – Kazakhstan.
