Representatives of the UAE confirmed their participation in the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions

Minister of Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Darkhan Kaletayev paid a working visit to the United Arab Emirates, during which he met with the Minister of Tolerance of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan. During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed ways to develop bilateral cooperation in issues of interreligious dialogue and social harmony.

Darkhan Kaletayev stressed that the issues of ensuring internal political stability, inter-religious and inter-ethnic harmony are in the focus of special attention of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and also noted the comprehensive approach of the United Arab Emirates in implementing the principles of tolerance in all spheres of life. The parties drew attention to the close connection between the ongoing conflicts in different regions of the world and the weakening of dialogue and cooperation both at the domestic level and on a global scale between representatives of different ethnic groups and religions.

Pointing to the need to strengthen international cooperation, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan praised the efforts of the Kazakh leader to promote interfaith dialogue, as well as other peacekeeping initiatives aimed at strengthening international stability and resolving various conflicts. In this context, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan noted that the Congress of leaders of world and traditional religions, initiated by the President of Kazakhstan, has become a truly global dialogue platform that unites followers of various faiths, and in this regard, confirmed its participation in the upcoming VI Astana Congress, which will be held on October 10-11, 2018.

During the visit to the UAE, the Minister of Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan D. Kaletayev met with the first Deputy Chairman of the Federal National Majlis of the United Arab Emirates Marwan Ben Gleita. The parties noted with satisfaction the steady development of inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries. The Minister stressed the contribution of the Federal national Majlis of the UAE to the expansion and strengthening of the ideas of tolerance, interfaith and interreligious dialogue both within the country and internationally. This is evidenced by the laws adopted in the UAE to combat religious intolerance and discrimination, as well as to combat terrorism.

The Minister also met with the Director General of the Department of Islamic Affairs and charity of the Emirate of Dubai, Hamad al-Sheibani. This structure is responsible for licensing charitable associations and Islamic institutions and improving religious literacy in society. Hamad al-Sheibani informed Darkhan Kaletayev about plans to organize an International summit on tolerance on November 15-16 this year in Dubai and expressed hope for the participation of the Kazakh delegation. The head of the Department also expressed readiness to participate in the VI Congress of world and traditional religions in Astana. During the meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Happiness of the UAE, the Emirati side informed about the activities of this structure and expressed readiness to develop cooperation and exchange experience with Kazakh colleagues.