President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has presented state honors to distinguished participants of the Eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which is being held in Astana. Among the recipients was Saidmukarram Abduqodirzoda, Chairman of the Council of Ulema of Tajikistan, who reportedly received the Congress’s honorary medal for his significant contribution to fostering interfaith dialogue and promoting peace.
According to a correspondent from Asia-Plus reporting from Astana, Abduqodirzoda, in his speech at the event, emphasized the importance of building trust and mutual understanding among different religions and cultures as a foundation for global peace and harmony. He also highlighted the urgent need for closer cooperation between religious and cultural communities in addressing global challenges such as violence and extremism.
President Tokayev echoed this sentiment, underscoring the vital role spiritual leaders can play in tackling global issues, including climate change. He advocated for greater involvement of religious institutions in raising public awareness on ecological concerns and sustainable development.
The Kazakh leader noted that religious figures, given their moral authority, are well-positioned to help shape a new sense of environmental consciousness and responsibility within societies.
Tajik mufti Saidmukarram Abduqodirzoda is attending the Congress, which opened on September 17 under the chairmanship of President Tokayev. On the sidelines of the forum, he has been meeting with fellow religious leaders from various countries.
Kazinform News Agency says the event has drawn more than 100 delegates from 60 countries, including spiritual leaders of major world religions, representatives of international organizations, experts, political scientists, and public figures.
Goals of this two-day congress, which is concluding today, are the search for universal reference points in the world and traditional forms of religions and the functioning of a permanent international interfaith institution for the dialogue of religions and the adoption of agreed decisions.
According to Kazinform News Agency, today the congress participants are discussing the role of religions in uniting humanity in the 21st century, the importance of spiritual values in the age of artificial intelligence, the contribution of religious institutions to sustainable development, and their peacebuilding potential in countering extremism.
