Maulen Ashimbayev met with Pope Francis
Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Maulen Ashimbayev met with Pope Francis during a working visit to the Vatican.
Maulen Ashimbayev on behalf of the President of the Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented the Pontiff with an invitation letter to take part in the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
During the conversation, the Speaker of the Senate spoke about Kazakhstan's initiatives in the field of interfaith harmony and the promotion of global interreligious dialogue, which are also closely correlated with the activities of the Vatican.
“Interethnic peace and harmony, mutual respect for the religious views of all citizens are an integral part of Kazakh culture and mentality. We are doing everything necessary to preserve and promote this culture of tolerance. That is why our the First President Nursultan Nazarbayev initiated in 2003 the convocation of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made a significant contribution to the promotion of this platform as the Head of the Secretariat of the Congress,” - Maulen Ashimbayev noted.
He expressed gratitude to the Holy See for supporting this initiative of our country.
“For 18 years, the Kazakh interreligious forum has turned into a representative dialogue platform. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to the Holy See for supporting the initiative of Kazakhstan. High-ranking representatives of the Catholic Church took an active part in all six Congresses of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions,” - the Senate Speaker emphasized.
At the upcoming Congress, it is planned to discuss the role of leaders of world and traditional religions in the social and spiritual development of mankind in the post-pandemic period. The parties expressed confidence that religious leaders can make a significant contribution to the fight against the pandemic, its socio-economic and humanitarian consequences.
“Religious leaders can make a significant contribution to understanding the lessons of the pandemic and dealing with its consequences. The pandemic has exacerbated many of the chronic problems of humanity - poverty, inequality, the deplorable state of the health care system in many countries, the low level of education of people, environmental and other problems. In addition, it is obvious that in the post-pandemic period consumer priorities should be revised and spiritual and moral values should come to the fore,” - Maulen Ashimbayev said.
Pope Francis thanked the President of the country Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the invitation to Kazakhstan to the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will be held next September. The Pontiff stressed the importance of this initiative of the First President - Elbasy Nursultan Nazarbayev, noting the significant role of Kazakhstan in promoting global interreligious dialogue.
The interlocutors also discussed key issues on the international agenda, in particular the situation in Afghanistan, global climate change and others.
On the same day, Maulen Ashimbayev met with the Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, during which the parties discussed issues of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Holy See.
The Speaker of the Senate also met with the President of the Pontifical Council for Interfaith Dialogue Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot.
(Senate Press Service, 74-72-27. Photo - @VaticanMedia)