Hindus have applauded Kazakhstan for “V Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions”, being held in capital Astana on June 10-11.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended Kazakhstan President Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev assisted by Senate Chairman Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for bringing together world religious leaders, politicians and international organizations to reportedly discuss the problems facing humanity, to promote a global dialogue between religions and cultures, and to strengthen mutual understanding between religious communities through this Congress.
Calling it a “step in the positive direction”, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that serious and honest interfaith dialogue in the world was the need of the hour.
Rajan Zed further said that religion was the most powerful, complex and far-reaching force in our society, so we must take it seriously. And we all knew that religion comprised much more than our own particular tradition/experience.
Stressing the merits of interfaith dialogue, Zed noted that in our shared pursuit for the truth, we could learn from one another and thus could arrive nearer to the truth. This dialogue might help us vanquish the stereotypes, prejudices, caricatures, etc., passed on to us from previous generations.
Attended by 80 delegations from over 40 countries, main theme of the Congress is “Dialogue of religious leaders and politicians in the name of peace and development” and it aims to foster a culture of tolerance and mutual respect. Various issues being discussed are responsibility of religious and political leaders to humanity; the influence of religion on young people; new trends and prospects of interaction of religion and politics; dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding between the leaders of world and traditional religions for the sake of peace, security and harmony; reports suggest.
Country of spectacular Tian Shan or Altay Mountains and steppes, Kazakhstan has large mineral resources and huge economic potential and is the world’s largest producer of uranium. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.