ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s capital will host an international conference titled “Religions against Terrorism” in 2016 as the country continues efforts to strengthen dialogue among religions and counteract extremist ideologies.
The event will be held May 31, 2016 on the eve of the 15th meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Parliamentarians, representatives of world and traditional religions, as well as experts are expected to participate. Organisers hope the forum becomes a new platform for dialogue among political and religious leaders, initiated by President Nursultan Nazarbayev in the framework of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
A planning meeting for the forum was held Dec. 28 by Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairman of the Senate Askar Beisenbayev, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Defense and Security Ikram Adyrbekov, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the International Center of Cultures and Religions and other agencies and departments.
“The importance of the planned conference is evident given the tumultuous time we live in,” said the Senate Speaker during the planning meeting.
The fifth Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held in Astana in June 2015, resulting in a resolution calling for stronger dialogue and understanding among religions and condemning any violence in the name of any religions. UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon, President of Finland Sauli Niinisto and King Abdullah II of Jordan attended the event along with dozens of religious leaders from around the world.
