Seventy-seven delegations representing all world and traditional religions from 35 countries of the world took part in the work of the Congress. Among them are Secretary General of the Muslim World League Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Turki, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, Metropolitan of Astana and Almaty Methodius, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation Ishmael Noko, Deputy Chairman of the Buddhist Association of China Sue Cheng, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger, Chairman of the China Daoist Association Zheng Fazhun, Vice President of the Shinto Shrines Association of Japan Jinja Honcho Tanaka, the President of the World Council of Cultural Heritage of Indian Zarathustra Homi Burzhor Dhalla and many others.

Such prominent politicians and public figures as President of Israel Shimon Peres, UN Under-Secretary-General, General Director of the European Branch of the United Nations Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Chairman of the UNESCO Executive Board Olabiyi Babalola Joseph Yaï, the OSCE Secretary General Marc Peren de Brishambo as well as representatives of legislative bodies and non-governmental organizations from different countries had been invited as honorable guests.

The head of state expressed gratitude to the participants of the Congress who responded to the invitation and gathered together to give their blessings and pastor's precept to people.

"We appreciate that your spiritual concern for the world, your dedication to the cause of consent on earth for the third time bring you to Astana," President Nursultan Nazarbayev highlighted.

The President underlined that more religious and public figures and statesmen from all over the world considered it important to take part in the work of the Congress.

Kazakhstan's experience for preserving interethnic and interconfessional accord has been acknowledged as one of the most successful example in the post-Soviet space. There are almost 3,200 mosques, temples and meetinghouses in the country. The International Center for Cultures and Religions has been established. The Fund for the Islamic Culture and Education is being also established by support of the state.

"And we feel our commitment to carry down this moral imperative to the entire humanity," the President stated.

The head of state emphasized that one of Kazakhstan's significant initiatives supported by the UN was declaration of 2010 a Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures. Kazakhstan has given full credibility to preside in the forthcoming years the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions convened at the initiative of Kazakhstan has also become an integral and efficient part of a global dialogue among religions of the world today.

The President drew attention to the fact that when mankind is experiencing a global financial and economic crisis, the need for constant self-perfection is pushed backwards. Many people close their eyes to the fact that such material values as money, greed and thoughtless pursuit of success dominate the world.

In this regard the Head of State expressed a view that today the moral principles should be at the forefront.

- Without this important tool it is impossible to come out of the crisis to a higher trajectory of society's development. In this I am absolutely convinced, - stressed N.Nazarbayev.

Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that the current crisis provides a unique opportunity to transform the world, to realize the perennial dream of mankind of a fair world order based on equitable economic and political model of relations between states, a new approach to global security, as well as ethics and spirituality.

Guardians of the highest moral values at all times were and remain the spiritual leaders - pastors of various faiths. That is why in these challenging times a special hope is given to religious leaders.

- It is you, religious leaders, can become the guides of the revival of spirituality - the main condition for harmonious development of the world. In this we see the high purpose of our Congress, - said the Head of State.

Secretary-General of the Muslim World League Sheikh Abdullah Bin-Abdul Mohsin al-Turki, President of the State of Israel Shimon Peres, Grand Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, Chairman of Saudi Arabian Shoura Council Abdullah Bin Mohammed Aal Al-Sheikh, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, Vice-President of the World Federation of Buddhists Hamba Lama Choyzhilzhavyn Dambazhav, Egyptian Minister of Awqaf Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzouq, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation Ishmael Noko, UN Under-Secretary-General Sergei Ordzhonikidze also addressed the participants with welcoming speeches.

In the afternoon, the Congress continued its work with a plenary session on the theme: «The role of religious leaders in building a world based on tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation».

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