“I have a dream”: Tokayev quotes Martin Luther King

Tengrinews.kz – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev quoted civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. at a Volunteers Forum in Astana, calling on Kazakhstanis to embrace what he described as responsible, constructive patriotism.

Tokayev said the planned constitutional changes would take Kazakhstan’s development to a new level, “reboot” the state system and help build a more effective relationship between the authorities and society.

A special emphasis in the draft constitutional amendments, he noted, is placed on the idea of responsible and creative patriotism.

“Patriotism is not just slogans. We need to treat this sacred concept very responsibly and create. I spoke about this at a recent meeting of the National Kurultai. Responsibility and creation — that is what distinguishes a patriotic citizen,” Tokayev said.

The President added that every volunteer is a vivid example of genuine patriotism, stressing that the desire to do good and improve the world is a key sign of love for one’s country.

“The well-known public figure, pastor Martin Luther King, said: ‘I have a dream.’ So dream of making this world better. I believe you will achieve it,” Tokayev told the volunteers.

“I have a dream” is the famous phrase from Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech delivered on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington. In that address, King spoke of a vision of peace, equality and justice — a society where people of all races and nationalities could live together without discrimination. The phrase later became a symbol of the civil rights struggle and continues to inspire people worldwide toward social justice and personal responsibility.

Earlier, Tokayev said that foreign volunteers will join Caspian and Aral restoration efforts.