In his speech, the President of Kazakhstan underscored the importance of King of Jordan’s participation in the Congress and noted the similarity of the Amman Message and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which both serve as a platform for the development of constructive dialogue between civilizations and religions.
Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed the delegates of the Congress have reached their main goal, having gathered again on the hospitable land of Kazakhstan.
“We have made a significant step towards each other and towards better understanding of the importance of peace and concord between the religions, nations and countries. We have continued our frank dialogue about the cooperation among religions and its role in the global development. We have demonstrated our deep common interest in cooperation in the name of stability and security in the world. We have also agreed upon and approved the Declaration of the Congress that reflects our shared approaches to the vital issues of life. Throughout these two days the Kazakh capital has been a place where people offered common prayer in different languages and in different manner, asking for peace, harmony, justice, forgiveness and love for one’s neighbours,” he maintained.
The President of Kazakhstan thanked all the participants of the Congress for their fruitful work.
“I express my gratitude to the representatives of different religions, who in their appeals to God asked for the prosperity and happiness in Kazakhstan. I am sincerely grateful to all the secular guests of the Congress, including politicians, public figures, experts and journalists, for their invaluable contribution into the success of the Congress and promotion of our ideas. There is nothing stronger than the truth, which combines faith and reason. The Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is held in the form of a dialogue between clerics and politicians. In such a manner we are trying to ensure that the power of morality and spirituality strengthens the righteous deeds in building peace and harmony between the people. Therefore I call on all members of the Congress to bring its kind and peaceful atmosphere in their congregations,” he said.
The Head of State stressed that the 5th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions has reaffirmed its relevance and an increased demand for the global dialogue.
“The word and speech, and therefore communication and dialogue, are the divine gifts given to mankind. And it is our duty to fully use their peacekeeping and creative power. Today, at the 5th Congress we have made another step towards an era of universal peace and mercy, justice and spiritual harmony. We have proved that in a time of doubt we can find hope and confidence in the future with nothing else but dialogue,” he said.
In addition, Nursultan Nazarbayev put forward a number of proposals concerning the activities of the Congress.
“Our Congress has a rich history. We have accumulated a solid experience in direct dialogue, having established the tradition of cooperation and mutual understanding. We are also establishing contacts with other platforms for interaction between religions and civilizations. I therefore propose that we create the Museum of Peace and Accord in Astana in this very building. Such a positive attitude to the history of our Congress, summarizing the experience of concerted decisions regarding issues of human development, will be important for further strengthening of peace and understanding between different religions and peoples. The Museum of Peace and Accord will at the same time be a scientific institution operating under the auspices of the Congress and dealing with the history of dialogue between religions and cultures,” he added.
The President of Kazakhstan emphasized the importance of expressing appreciation to people who promote the dialogue between religions and cultures. To this end, Nursultan Nazarbayev proposed to establish an Award for outstanding contribution in the development and strengthening of spiritual peace and harmony, adding that it could be presented by the Board of religious leaders at the plenary sessions of the Congress.
The Head of State noted that the Congress has enriched the world by giving hope of avoiding the worst scenarios, and bringing faith in the wisdom and responsibility of the mankind.
Among the keynote speakers were King Abdullah II of Jordan, the United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, the Patriarchal Exarch of all Belarus, Metropolitan Paul of Minsk and Zaslavsk, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, the Bishop of Bedford Richard Atkinson, Managing Director of the Japanese Association of Shinto Temples “Jinja Honcho” Tanenori Terai, ISESCO Director General Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri and President of the Lutheran World Federation Munib Younan.
Following the results of the session, the Congress participants adopted the Declaration of the 5th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
