ВЕРСИЯ ДЛЯ СЛАБОВИДЯЩИХ
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Interfaith Dialogue
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(Astana, May 30–31, 2012)
The Fourth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions
«Peace and Concord as Humanity’s Choice»
Abstract
Documents
Photo
Letters
Video
Map
The Fourth Congress, held in Astana in 2012, marked a turning point in the history of global interreligious dialogue. It demonstrated that the platform created by Kazakhstan is not only viable but also capable of influencing global processes. The forum brought together 85 delegations from 40 countries, including representatives of all major world religions.
The Congress went beyond traditional discussions of faith and began addressing pressing contemporary issues—sustainable development, the status of women, youth, and multiculturalism—making the debates more practical and relevant for the international community.
During the Congress, the Head of State held bilateral meetings with:
  • General Secretary of the World Islamic League, Abdallah bin Abdul Muhsin Al-Turki
  • Special Envoy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdallah Al-Ash Sheikh
  • Honorary President of the Vatican Commission on the City-State, Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo
  • Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel, Yona Metzger
  • Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, Shlomo Amar
  • General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, Martin Junge
  • Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill
  • Former Prime Minister of Canada and advisor to Hinan Blayki, Jean Chrétien
  • And other representatives of world religions

Institutionalization
The establishment of the Council of Religious Leaders became an important step in formalizing ongoing interaction between representatives of religions and international organizations. The Council became a platform for consultations, formulation of positions, and coordinated actions between Congresses.

Decisions Adopted
  • Adoption of the Final Declaration, condemning the use of religion to justify violence and calling for joint action against discrimination and xenophobia
  • Support for expanding the Congress’s participation in international forums, including the UN General Assembly
  • Proposal to establish an international award for contributions to the dialogue of civilizations and religions
  • Strengthening the role of the Congress Secretariat as an international platform for ongoing negotiations and initiatives

Social and Symbolic Projects
Visits to ALZHIR by participants, the opening of a memorial in memory of victims of repression, collective prayers, and the planting of the "Alley of Spiritual Concord" were not only symbolic but deeply humanitarian actions, reminding the world of the value of peace, memory, and justice.

International Recognition
The outcomes of the Congress received official support from UNESCO, the League of Arab States, Al-Azhar, the Vatican, the Moscow Patriarchate, and other influential spiritual centers. The Congress was firmly established as a unique global structure without analogues, where religious leaders play a constructive role in global processes.
A special atmosphere of understanding was created through welcome letters and addresses sent by the heads of religious delegations, expressing support for the ideas of dialogue, peace, and spiritual unity. This section includes letters from:
  • UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the President of Kazakhstan regarding the appointment of UN office director in Geneva and Deputy Secretary-General K.K. Tokayev to represent him at the Fourth Congress
  • Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, regarding his visit to Kazakhstan for the Fourth Congress
  • Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Dr. Abdallah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, accepting the invitation to the Fourth Congress
  • Director-General of the Islamic Organization for Education and Culture, Dr. Abdel Aziz At-Tuwaijri, on the significance of holding the Fourth Congress for the global community

This section includes: documents (concept, program, agenda, declaration, speeches, letters), photo archive, video film, and an interactive map showing the geography of participants of the Fourth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
Concept
Concept of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
Concept of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.8083, pp. 97–99
Concept of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
Concept of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.8083, pp. 97–99
Concept of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
Concept of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.8083, pp. 97–99
Agenda
Agenda of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
Agenda of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.8083, p. 90
List of Heads of Delegations
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
List of Heads of Delegations – Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 162–171
Program
Program of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
Program of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.8084, p. 86–90
Program of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
Program of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.8084, p. 86–90
Qualitative Composition of Participants
Qualitative Composition of Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
Qualitative Composition of Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 172–174
Qualitative Composition of Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
Qualitative Composition of Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 172–174
Qualitative Composition of Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
Qualitative Composition of Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9369, pp. 172–174
Session of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Session of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Astana
Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Astana
Session of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Session of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Supreme Mufti of the Caucasus, spiritual leader of Muslims of Azerbaijan Sheikh Ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade, representative of Taoism Huang Xinyang, Chairman of the Directorate of Religious Affairs of Turkey (Diyanet) Mehmet Görmez, representative of Hinduism, spiritual leader Swami Tadmanand Saraswati (from left to right) during the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Supreme Mufti of the Caucasus, spiritual leader of Muslims of Azerbaijan Sheikh Ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade, representative of Taoism Huang Xinyang, Chairman of the Directorate of Religious Affairs of Turkey (Diyanet) Mehmet Görmez, representative of Hinduism, spiritual leader Swami Tadmanand Saraswati (from left to right) during the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
President of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo (left), Head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ (right) during the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
President of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo (left), Head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ (right) during the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Representative of Buddhism Ajahn Chalong (left), Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Amar during the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Representative of Buddhism Ajahn Chalong (left), Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Amar during the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Session of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Session of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Session of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Session of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Speech by Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider of the Archdiocese of St. Mary in Astana, Secretary General of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Kazakhstan, at the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Speech by Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider of the Archdiocese of St. Mary in Astana, Secretary General of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Kazakhstan, at the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Visit of the participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to the ALZHIR Museum and Memorial Complex (Akmola Camp for Wives of Traitors to the Motherland) Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Visit of the participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to the ALZHIR Museum and Memorial Complex (Akmola Camp for Wives of Traitors to the Motherland) Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions during the opening ceremony of the monument to the victims of the 1932–1933 famine Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions during the opening ceremony of the monument to the victims of the 1932–1933 famine Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Participation of the delegates of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in the tree planting at the «Rukhani Zharasym» Alley Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Participation of the delegates of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in the tree planting at the «Rukhani Zharasym» Alley Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Astana, May 30–31, 2012
Address of the Participants
Address of the Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (On the Support for the Establishment of the Council of Religious Leaders) May 31, 2012
Address of the Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (On the Support for the Establishment of the Council of Religious Leaders) May 31, 2012
AP RK, Fonds 158-N, Inv.4, F.885, p.18
Address of the Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (On the Support for the Establishment of the Council of Religious Leaders) May 31, 2012
Address of the Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (On the Support for the Establishment of the Council of Religious Leaders) May 31, 2012
AP RK, Fonds 158-N, Inv.4, F.885, p.18
Address of the Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (On the Support for the Establishment of the Council of Religious Leaders) May 31, 2012
Address of the Participants of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (On the Support for the Establishment of the Council of Religious Leaders) May 31, 2012
AP RK, Fonds 158-N, Inv.4, F.885, p.18

Letters

Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the outcomes of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, in accordance with Clause 5.2 of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev No. 261 of January 30, 2012 June 20, 2012, No. 10-5744/2604
Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the outcomes of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, in accordance with Clause 5.2 of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev No. 261 of January 30, 2012 June 20, 2012, No. 10-5744/2604
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.8084, pp. 105–106
Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the outcomes of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, in accordance with Clause 5.2 of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev No. 261 of January 30, 2012 June 20, 2012, No. 10-5744/2604
Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the outcomes of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, in accordance with Clause 5.2 of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev No. 261 of January 30, 2012 June 20, 2012, No. 10-5744/2604
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.8084, pp. 105–106
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from UNESCO Director-General Irina Georgievna Bokova on the significance of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions June 12, 2012
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from UNESCO Director-General Irina Georgievna Bokova on the significance of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions June 12, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9625, pp. 179–180
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from UNESCO Director-General Irina Georgievna Bokova on the significance of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions June 12, 2012
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from UNESCO Director-General Irina Georgievna Bokova on the significance of the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions June 12, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9625, pp. 179–180
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on accepting the invitation to the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on accepting the invitation to the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9625, pp. 195–196
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on accepting the invitation to the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on accepting the invitation to the IV Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9625, pp. 195–196
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from the Director-General of the Islamic Organization for Education and Culture, Dr. Abdel Aziz Al-Tuwaijri, on the significance of holding the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in the international community May 30–31, 2012
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from the Director-General of the Islamic Organization for Education and Culture, Dr. Abdel Aziz Al-Tuwaijri, on the significance of holding the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in the international community May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9625, pp. 198–199
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from the Director-General of the Islamic Organization for Education and Culture, Dr. Abdel Aziz Al-Tuwaijri, on the significance of holding the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in the international community May 30–31, 2012
Letter to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev from the Director-General of the Islamic Organization for Education and Culture, Dr. Abdel Aziz Al-Tuwaijri, on the significance of holding the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in the international community May 30–31, 2012
AP RK Fonds 5-N, Inv. 11, F.9625, pp. 198–199