We, the participants of the VII Congress - the spiritual leaders of world and traditional religions, politicians, heads of international organizations,
Guided by our common desire for a just, peaceful, secure and prosperous world,
Affirming the importance of common values in the spiritual and social development of mankind,
Recognizing the need to counter and overcome intolerance and incitement to hatred, xenophobia, discrimination and conflicts based on social, ethno-cultural and religious differences,
Respecting the richness of religious and cultural diversity,
realizing that charitable deeds, compassion, mercy, justice and solidarity contribute to the rapprochement of people and societies,
recognizing the value of education and spirituality for personal and interreligious development,
Reaffirming the importance of the role and rights of women in society,
stating that material inequality leads to resentment, social tension, conflicts and crises in our world,
Recognizing the importance of addressing global challenges in our post-pandemic world, including climate change, poverty and hunger, organized crime, terrorism and drugs,
Condemning in the strongest terms extremism, radicalism and terrorism that lead to religious persecution and the destruction of human life and dignity,
condemning the creation of hotbeds of interstate and international tension in the world,
Expressing grave concern at the global increase in the number of migrants and refugees in need of humanitarian assistance and protection,
expressing a firm desire to contribute to the creation of conditions for dialogue and reconciliation between the conflicting parties,
Realizing the urgent need for spiritual and political leaders to work together to solve the problems of our world,
Welcoming all international, regional, national and local initiatives, especially the efforts of religious leaders to promote interreligious, intercultural and intercivilizational dialogue,
expressing the intention to intensify cooperation between religious communities, international, national and state institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations in the post-pandemic period,
Reaffirming the work of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions as an international platform for interreligious dialogue for representatives of many religions, confessions and creeds,
pointing to the possibility of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to take further concrete steps to expand interreligious, intercultural and intercivilizational dialogue,
- HAVE REACHED A COMMON POSITION AND DECLARE THE FOLLOWING:
1. We will make every effort to ensure that the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions continues its ongoing activities for the benefit of peace and dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations.
2. We declare that in the context of the post-pandemic development of the world and the globalization of processes and security threats, the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions plays an important role in the implementation of joint efforts to strengthen dialogue for the sake of peace and cooperation, as well as the promotion of spiritual and moral values.
3. We recognize that the negative effects of pandemics can only be overcome through joint efforts, working together and helping each other.
4. We are convinced that the unleashing of any military conflict, the creation of hotbeds of tension and confrontation has a "domino effect", which worsens international relations.
5. We believe that extremism, radicalism, terrorism and all other forms of violence and wars, whatever their motives and goals may be, have nothing to do with true religion, and must be resolutely rejected.
6. We urge national governments and authorized international organizations to provide comprehensive assistance to all religious groups and ethnic communities that have been subjected to infringement of rights and violence by extremists and terrorists, as well as as a result of wars and military conflicts.
7. We call on world leaders to abandon all aggressive and destructive rhetoric that leads to the destabilization of the world, and to stop conflicts and bloodshed in all corners of our world.
8. We call on religious leaders and prominent political figures from around the world to tirelessly develop dialogue in the name of friendship, solidarity and peaceful coexistence.
9. We advocate the active involvement of leaders of world and traditional religions and prominent political figures in the process of conflict resolution in order to achieve long-term stability.
10. We note that pluralism and differences in skin color, gender, race, language and culture are an expression of the wisdom of God's will in creation. God allows religious diversity and thus any coercion to one or another religion and religious doctrine is unacceptable.
11. We call for the support of practical initiatives for the implementation of interreligious and interfaith dialogue in the name of building social justice and solidarity for all peoples.
12. We stand in solidarity with the efforts of the United Nations and all other international, governmental and regional institutions and organizations to promote dialogue among civilizations and religions, states and nations.
13. We recognize the importance and value of the Document “On Human Fraternity for Peace and Peaceful Coexistence” between the Holy See and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif (adopted by the UN General Assembly resolution “International Day of Human Fraternity” A/RES/75/200 of 21 December 2020) and the Mecca Declaration (adopted in Mecca in May 2019), which call for peace, dialogue, mutual understanding and mutual respect among believers for the common good.
14. We welcome the progress that has been made by the world community in the fields of science, technology, medicine, industry and other fields, but at the same time we note the importance of their harmonization with spiritual, social and human values.
15. We are aware that often social problems push people to extreme views and actions, and we call on all states of the world to provide adequate living conditions for their citizens.
16. We note how people and societies that ignore the importance of spiritual values and moral guidelines are prone to losing their humanity and creativity.
17. We call on world political and business leaders to focus on overcoming disparities in the development of modern societies and reducing the gap in the well-being of different segments of the population and different countries of the world.
18. We note the positive impact of the dialogue between the leaders of world and traditional religions on the socio-political processes in states and societies that contribute to the preservation of peace.
19. We proceed from the indisputable fact that the Almighty created all people equal, regardless of their racial, religious, ethnic or other affiliation or social status, therefore respect for each other and mutual understanding are the basis of all religious preaching.
20. We call on political and public figures, journalists and bloggers, recognizing their freedom of speech, to beware of religious generalizations and not to identify extremism and terrorism with any nation or religion, and not to use religion for political purposes.
21. We are in favor of enhancing the role of education and religious education, especially among young people, in strengthening the respectful coexistence of religions and cultures and debunking dangerous pseudo-religious prejudices.
22. We emphasize the importance of strengthening the institution of the family.
23. We stand up for the dignity and rights of women, raising their social status as an equal member of the family and society, and encouraging their participation in peace processes in the cultural and religious spheres.
24. We note the inevitability of global digital development, as well as the importance of the role of religious and spiritual leaders in engaging with policymakers in addressing the digital divide.
25. While respecting freedom of expression, we seek to develop a dialogue with the media and other institutions of society in order to clarify the importance of religious values for the promotion of religious knowledge, inter-religious tolerance and civil peace, and to develop a general tolerance for religions.
26. We call on all people of faith and good will to unite during this difficult time and contribute to ensuring security and harmony in our common home - planet Earth.
27. We pray for the support of all people of good will on the planet who are making a significant contribution to the expansion of intercivilizational, interreligious and international dialogue in the name of a more prosperous world.
28. We call for support for acts of mercy and compassion in regions affected by military conflicts, as well as natural and man-made disasters.
29. We call for solidarity in supporting international organizations and national governments in their efforts to overcome the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
30. We reaffirm that the purposes of the Congress and of this Declaration are to guide the present and future generations of mankind in promoting a culture of mutual respect and peacefulness; so that they are available for use in the public administration of any country in the world, as well as international organizations, including UN institutions.
31. We instruct the Secretariat of the Congress to develop a Concept for the Development of
congress of leaders of world and traditional religions as a global interreligious dialogue platform for 2023-2033.
32. We confirm the role of the Republic of Kazakhstan as an authoritative and global center of intercivilizational, interreligious and interfaith dialogue.
33. We thank the Republic of Kazakhstan and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for convening the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, their humanitarian initiatives, and also for their contribution to renewal and progress, peace and harmony.
34. We thank the Republic of Kazakhstan for the excellent organization of the Congress, as well as the Kazakh people for their cordiality and hospitality.
35. We confirm our collective interest in continuing the activities of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and our intention to hold the next VIII Congress in 2025 in the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the city of Nur-Sultan.
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This Declaration is accepted by the majority of delegates of the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, and is transmitted to the authorities, political leaders, religious figures around the world, relevant regional and international organizations, civil society institutions, as well as religious associations and leading experts. It will also be distributed as an official document of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.
The principles contained in the current Declaration can be disseminated at all regional and international levels, to be taken into account in all political decisions, legislation, educational programs and the media in all interested countries.
BLESSED OUR EXPECTATIONS
AND THEY SHALL BE GRANTED
PROSPERITY TO ALL PEOPLES AND COUNTRIES!
THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN
NUR-SULTAN
15 SEPTEMBER 2022