For the first time, a UN special session on the protection of religious sites was held in Astana as part of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Senate Speaker and Head of the Congress Secretariat Maulen Ashimbayev noted that the initiative builds on discussions at the 10th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in Portugal. Participants highlighted the growing threats to places of worship worldwide and called for coordinated international efforts, stressing that safeguarding temples and sacred sites must be a shared global responsibility. Delegates also emphasized that it is no coincidence such issues are being discussed in Kazakhstan - a country historically situated at the crossroads of East and West, uniting cultures, faiths, and peoples. Promoting tolerance, intercultural dialogue, and respect for spiritual heritage remains a priority of Kazakhstan’s state policy.
«I think that this is a very important session. We thank Kazakhstan for hosting such an important side event of the UN of civilizations dialogue on respect and protection of holy places, because it is very important in the challenges we are living to protect persons, souls, also sacred places,» said Yahya Sergio Yahe Pallavicini, President of the Italian Islamic Religious Community.
«Sacred sites are part of
our people’s history and represent an invaluable spiritual and cultural
heritage. Kazakhstan strongly supports the 2023 UN General Assembly Resolution
on interfaith
dialogue and countering hate speech, as well as the UN plan of action to
safeguard religious sites,»
Ashimbayev said.
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