WEEKLY REVIEW. III Religious Congress takes place in Astana. Israeli President Peres, Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos visit Kazakhstan

Among invited participants and honorable quests of the Congress there were many political and religious leaders. The 1st section of the Congress moderated by Sheikh Absattar Derbisali (Chief Mufti of Kazakhstan) was devoted to the topic "Moral and Spiritual values, World Ethics". There were discussions between following participants: Sheikh Mohammad Sayed Tantawy (Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar in Egypt), Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran (President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialog in Vatikan), Xue Cheng (Deputy President of the Buddhism Association of China), Ali Bardakoglu (Head of the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey), Olabiyi Babalola Joseph Yai (Chairman of the UNESCO Executive Board), Dom Jose Alberto Moura (President of the Episcopal Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of National Conference of Brazilian Bishops), Dr.Kahlan Nabhan Al-Kharousi (Adviser to General Mufti of Oman Sultanate), Dr.Jyotindra Mukundrai Dave (Director of Akshardham Center for Applied Research in Social Harmony), Sheikh Said Hijjawi (Director General of the Royal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought) and Metropolitan Nifon (Romanian Orthodox Church).

 The 1^st section included greetings to the participants, speeches and discussions. It was said that world ethics should be based on spiritual values and faith. The present world crisis is the result of lack of spiritual values. People should respect each other and not to be isolated, communicating each other. We have to identify obstacles that hinder dialogue such as ignorance, indifference, prejudice and encourage more holistic view of religion linked with human rights, ethics, justice and other social issues. While it is important to safeguard all cultural identities and ensure freedom of belief and expression, it is equally vital to highlight the dialogue that has incessantly occurred through interactions and mutual influences all through the history of mankind, constructively resulting in cross-cultural borrowings and mutually fostered communities and societies. Each culture draws from its own roots but has been nurtured on cultural diversity. Reciprocal knowledge of religions and spiritual traditions should be enabled in order to reach respect for pluralism, diversity of beliefs and convictions, which is the only basis for nurturing harmony in multicultural and multi-faith societies.

 The 2^nd section moderated by Dr.Ishmael Noko (General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation) was dedicated to the issue of "Dialogue and Cooperation". Miguel Angel Moratinos (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain), Adel Al-Falah (Undersecretary of Ministry of Awqaf & Islamic Affairs of Kuwait), Marc Scheuer (Director of the Secretariat of the Alliance of Civilizations), Salem Ajaili Al-Houni (High Commissioner of the Islamic Office for the Religious Affairs and Director of Dawa Affairs (OIC), Shantilal Karamshi Somaliya (Chairman of Institute of Indian Culture and Interfaith Dialogue, India), Muhammad Khalid Masud (Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology of Pakistan), Homi Burjor Dhalla (President of the World Zarathushi Cultural Foundation), Leonid Kishkovsky (President of the US Christian Churches Together) and Marco Impagliazzo (President of the Community of Sant'Edigio, Italy) took part in the section.

 During the 2^nd section Homi Burjor Dhala said that problem of peaceful coexistence is actual for many countries including India and African countries. Leonid Kishkovsky commented that we need to find a common public language. Marco Impagliazzo added that this dialog is a strong instrument of communication between different communities. He said that the dialogue depends on the depth of our faith. He noted that we need a dialogue not only between religions but the dialog between cultures. Dr.Muhammad Khalid Masud said that the concept of this dialog should be focused on such issues as representation of women and youth, and negotiations between political and religious leaders. Dr.Ishmael Noko finished the 2nd section with words that during this dialogue we got closer to each other. And the fact that we all gathered in the Congress is a big progress, he said. He added that he would summarize all that had been said and prepare recommendations for the next 4th Congress.

 The 3^rd final section "Solidarity in the Period of Crisis" was moderated by Mr.William Vendley (Secretary General of the World Conference of Religions for Peace). Salman Al Husaini Al Nadvi (President of the Muslim Organization Jamaat-i-Shabab-e-Islam, India), Vladyka Miron (Representative of the Mitropolitan of Warsaw and all Poland), Sheikh Ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade (Grand Mufti of the Caucasus), Paul Piper (Representative of the Church of Jesus Christ, USA), Ayatolla Seyyed Abd Hassan Nawab (President of the University of Religions, Iran), Da Lama Khunkheriin Bayambajav (General Secretary of the Center of Mongolian Buddhists monastery), Yang Zhibo (Deputy President of Islam Association of China), Georgy Ryabykh (Deputy Chairman of Sector for External Church Relations of Moscow Patriarchy, Russia), Chong Byung Jo (Director of Chogechon Buddhist Organization, S Korea), Metropolitan Nikitas of Dardanelles (Director of the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkley) participated in the 3^rd section.

 The discussions were dedicated to issues of solidarity and friendship. It was said that even the topic is solidarity in the period of crisis and many speeches were said about mutual respect. The reality is different. People in the world still see violence, terror and murders based on religious and ethnic differences. There are other religious leaders of lower level, who didn't take part in this event. The Congress leaders should consider the activity of all religious representatives. It was mentioned that the next Congress ought to pay big attention to the issue of religious prosecution. Unfortunately, some politicians do not follow the principles of religions. It was also added that besides financial crisis there are many other negative matters happen, such as local military conflicts, nature disasters and others. At the end it was said that religious leaders should insure and support peace and mutual respect.

 During the week President N.Nazarbayev also met with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and President of Israel Shimon Peres. Miguel Angel Moratinos paid an official visit to Kazakhstan. As Anjel Moratinos announced after his meeting with Kazakhstan President  Nursultan " Kazakhstan and Spain will be coordinating the activities related to their upcoming chairmanships at the OSCE and the EU, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation is to be the chair of the OSCE in 2010, and Spain will chair the EU this year. Kazakhstan and Spain has also signed an agreement on strategic partnership, convention for the avoidance of double taxation and a range of other documents", Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has said at the meeting with Kazakh Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin. A document in the field of culture will be signed as well. The Spanish Minister noted that Kazakhstan and Spain pledge to promote all topical issues in the construction of new architecture of security.

Shimon Peres invited the President of Kazakhstan to visit Israel for the third time. President of Israel Shimon Peres also participated in the Third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and performed with the speech. He emphasized that he hopes that our countries will continue to strengthen relations and bring practical contribution to strengthening of mutual collaboration. The President of Israel highly appreciated efforts of Nursultan Nazarbayev on building a society with tolerance to different ethnic and religious groups. There has never been Anti-Semitism in Kazakhstan and we highly appreciate friendship with Kazakhstan, - S. Peres said.