The fifth Congress of World and Traditional Religions launched June 10 in Astana with a focus on working together to prevent violence, and with Kazakhstan offered as a model of religious and cultural harmony.
“A distinctive feature of this forum is to discuss the relationship of religions and cultures in the interests of peace and stability on the planet,” said President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in his speech to the plenary session of the congress. “The relevance of such a discussion is enhanced by the disturbing development of the global situation. Today, the world is literally hanging in a dangerous state of uncertainty.”
Delegates to the congress repeatedly condemned violence in the name of religion, with Nazarbayev saying that attempts to use Islam to justify extremism and terrorism are “blasphemous,” and said any religion is “great” if it supports peace and unity.
The fifth congress is being attended by delegations from more than 40 countries, as well as by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and President of Finland Sauli Niinistö. The first day’s panel sessions included “Religious and Political Leaders: The Responsibility to Humankind,” and “The Influence of Religion on Youth: Education, Science, Culture and Mass Media.”
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