Darkhan Kaletayev met with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill

Within the framework of his working trip to the Russian Federation, the Minister of Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Darkhan Kaletayev met with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill.

During the conversation, the Patriarch highlighted the wise policy of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, aimed at strengthening interfaith peace and harmony in Kazakhstani society. It was emphasized that the dialogue in the Republic of Kazakhstan between the authorities and religions, especially with Orthodoxy, is developing in a constructive manner.

Kaletayev said that Orthodox Christians in the republic have all the conditions for satisfying their religious needs. On behalf of the Head of Kazakhstan, a decision was made to build the fourth Orthodox church in Astana. Currently, the issue of allocating a land plot for the construction of an Orthodox church has been resolved, the land for construction has been identified, the project is being developed.

The Minister spoke about the participation of representatives of the Orthodox Church in the discussion of the draft law currently under consideration on issues of religious activity and religious associations. “Changes and additions are aimed solely at minimizing the conditions for the use of religion for destructive purposes and the prevention of religious radicalism,” said the Minister.

The patriarch agreed with the need for state control over negative processes in the religious community.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church shared Russia’s experience in teaching religious subjects in secondary schools, the purpose of which is formation of a moral personality, development of patriotism, and prevention of alien religious ideology.

Darkhan Kaletayev thanked the Patriarch for his contribution to the development of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue and expressed appreciation for the support and participation of representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church in the inter-religious forums held in Astana, as well as its working bodies - the Secretariat and the Working Group.

At the end of the conversation, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill emphasized that Russia sincerely rejoices in the dynamic development of Kazakhstan, the strengthening of its authority in the international arena, and expressed full support for the policy of the Kazakh authorities aimed at strengthening interfaith and interethnic peace and harmony.