Astana is preparing to host the eighth Congress of
Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. On September 17-18, the Kazakh capital
will bring together over 100 delegations from 60 countries. Prominent spiritual
leaders will gather at one table to discuss the most pressing challenges of our
time - from extremism and conflicts to issues of peace, respect, and security. According
to experts, over more than two decades this forum has evolved into a unique
international platform. Within its framework, hundreds of events have been held
and around 50 agreements signed with international organizations. Kazakhstan
has, in fact, set the trend for interfaith dialogue. Today, similar formats of
meetings are held in the Vatican, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Kazakhstan has
secured the status of a spiritual capital, where each congress concludes with
the adoption of a final document. That document, in turn, reflects the consensus
reached by the world’s religious leaders.
«Over the past 20
years, the Congress has truly become a unique global platform for interfaith
dialogue. Its uniqueness also lies in the fact that, while similar events are
held elsewhere, they usually bring together experts and representatives of
religions. Here, however, the very name - the Congress of Leaders of World and
Traditional Religions - reflects its essence: it gathers those who are, in a
sense, guiding lights for their believers,» noted Bulat Sarsenbayev, advisor to the chairman of the managing board of the
International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue.
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