PHOTO: Astana hosts 4th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions

The 4th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions kicked off in Astana, Tengrinews.kz reports from the Palace of Peace and Accord. The forth meeting of the religious leaders is called Peace and Accord as a Choice of Humankind. The meeting of the Council of Religious Leaders will be followed by a plenary meeting where Nursultan Nazarbayev will deliver a speech. Kazakhstan President initiated this event several years ago. Press-service of the Congress reminds how it started: “Realizing the threats posed by modern challenges in the globalization age, blurring of the traditional values resting on the centuries-old religious studies and surge of tensions among representatives of different religious and cultural communities, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbyaev suggested holding the Forum of World and Traditional Religions.” The first Congress was held in 2003 and gathered religious leaders from 13 countries. This year it will be participated by 87 delegations from 40 countries. The 4th Congress will be held on May 31, on the Day of Memory of the Victims of Political Repressions and Famine. It will include a ceremony of opening of a monument to victims of famine of 1932-1933, a visit to ALZHIR museum and memorial complex (Alzhir is the abbreviation for Stalinist era women's labor camp called "Akmola Camp for Wives of Traitors to the Motherland") and a joint prayer in memory of the victims of political repressions. Besides, Rukhani Zharassym alley will be established during the Congress.