Violence and war have nothing to do with true religion

In the presence of Pope Francis it closed today, Thursday 15 September, the vii Congress of leaders of world and traditional religions. At the end of the work, in the conference room of the Independence Palace, in Nur-Sultan, the English text of the final declaration was read, which we publish below in our translation.

We participants in the VII Congress – spiritual leaders of world and traditional religions, politicians, heads of international organizations -,

guided from the shared desire of a just, peaceful, secure and prosperous world,

stating the importance of common values in the spiritual and social development of humanity,

acknowledging there need to counter and overcome intolerance, xenophobia, discrimination and conflicts based on ethnic, religious and cultural differences,

respecting there richness of religious and cultural diversity,

understanding what acts of charity, compassion, mercy, justice and solidarity contribute to bringing peoples and societies closer together,

acknowledging the importance of education and spirituality for personal and interreligious growth,

stating the importance of role and rights of women in the society,

declaring that material inequality leads to discontent, social tension, conflict and crisis in our world,

acknowledging L’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 which lead to religious persecution and undermine human life and dignity,

condemning the creation of hotbeds of interstate and international tension in the world,

expressing serious concern for the global growth in the number of migrants and refugees in need of humanitarian assistance and protection,

expressing the firm desire to contribute to the creation of conditions for reconciliation and dialogue between the conflicting parties,

understanding the urgent need for that spiritual and political leaders collaborate in facing the challenges of our world,

appreciating all international, regional, national and local initiatives, especially the efforts of religious leadersto promote dialogue between religions, cultures and civilizations,

expressing the intention to step up the cooperation between religious communities, international, national and public institutions and non-governmental organizations in the post-pandemic period,

reaffirming the work of the Congress of leaders of world and traditional religions such as international interreligious dialogue platform for representatives of many religions, confessions and creeds,

pointing out the opportunity for the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to fulfill further specific steps to broaden the dialogue between confessions, religions and civilizations,

we 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 regular activities for the benefit of peace and dialogue between religions, cultures and civilizations.

2. We declare that in the situation of world development after the pandemic, globalization of world processes and security threats, the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions plays an important role in implementing joint efforts to strengthen dialogue in the name of peace and cooperation, as well as in the promotion of spiritual and moral values.

3. We recognize that the negative consequences of pandemic disease they can be overcome only through joint effortworking together and helping each other.

4. We are convinced that the outbreak of any military conflict, hotbed of tension and confrontation generates a chain reaction which hinders international relations.

5. We believe that extremism, radicalism, terrorism and all other forms of violence and war, whatever their purpose, have nothing to do with true religion and must be rejected in the strongest possible terms.

6. We strongly urge national governments and authorized international organizations, to provide comprehensive assistance to all religious groups and ethnic communities that have suffered violations of rights and violence by extremists and terrorists as a result of wars and military conflicts.

7. We urge world leaders to abandon all aggressive and destructive rhetoric that leads to the destabilization of the world, and to stop conflicts and bloodshed in every corner of our world.

8. We urge religious leaders and prominent political figures from different parts of the world a develop dialogue tirelessly in the name of friendship, solidarity and peaceful coexistence.

9. We support the active participation of leaders of world and traditional religions and prominent political figures al process of resolution conflicts to achieve long-term stability.

10. We observe that pluralism and religious differences, skin color, gender, race and language are expressions of the wisdom of God’s will in creation. Therefore, any act of coercion against a particular religion and religious doctrine is unacceptable.

11. We ask the support for initiatives aimed at the practical implementation of interreligious and inter-denominational dialoguein order to build social justice and solidarity for all peoples.

12. We stand in solidarity with efforts of the United Nationsof all other international, governmental and regional institutions and organizations, to promote dialogue between civilizations and religions, states and nations.

13. We recognize the importance and value of Document on human brotherhood for world peace and common coexistence signed by the Holy See and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif (adopted by the United Nations General Assembly with resolution a / res / 75/200 of 21 December 2020), and the Mecca Declaration (adopted in Mecca in May 2019), which call for peace, dialogue, understanding and mutual respect between believers for the common good.

14. We appreciate progress made by the global community in the fields of science, technology, medicine, industry and other spheres, and yet we note the importance of their harmonization with spiritual, social and human values.

15. We note that social problems they often push people to extreme actions, and we urge all states in the world to ensure adequate living conditions for their citizens.

16. We observe how people and societies who do not recognize the importance of spiritual values ​​and moral orientations they risk losing their humanity and creativity.

17. We urge leaders in politics and business to focus on overcoming imbalances in the development of modern societies ea reduce the gap in the well-being of different segments of the population and different countries around the world.

18. We note the positive impact of dialogue between leaders of world and traditional religions on socio-political processes in states and societies, helping to preserve peace.

19. Let’s go from the immutable fact that the Almighty created all people equalregardless of their racial, religious, ethnic or other affiliation or their social status, therefore tolerance, respect and mutual understanding are the basis of all religious teaching.

20. We urge political and public figures, journalists and bloggers to avoid religious generalization and not to identify extremism and terrorism with entire peace-loving nations and religions.

21. We support the expansion of the role of religious education and instruction in strengthening the respectful coexistence of religions and cultures and debunking dangerous pseudo-religious prejudices.

22. We lend special attention to the importance of strengthening the institution of the family.

23. We support the protection of dignity and rights of womenthe improvement of their social status as equal members of the family and society.

24. We detect the inescapability of the global digital development as well as the importance of the role of religious and spiritual leaders in interacting with politicians to solve the problems of digital inequality.

25. We try to develop a dialogue with the media and other institutions of society to explain the importance of religious values ​​to promote religious literacy, interreligious tolerance and civil peace.

26. We appeal to all people of faith and good will so that come together in this difficult time and help to ensure harmony and security in our common home, the planet Earth.

27. Let us pray to support all people of goodwill on the planet who make a significant contribution to expanding the dialogue between civilizations, religions and nations for a more prosperous world.

28. We ask to support acts of mercy and compassion in regions affected by military conflicts and natural or man-made disasters.

29. We ask solidarity in supporting international organizations and national governments in their efforts to overcome the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.

30. We affirm that the purpose of the Congress and of this Declaration is to guide the contemporary and future generations of humanity in promoting a culture of tolerance, mutual respect and peace, for use in the public administration of any country in the world, as well as by international organizations, including the institutions of the United Nations.

31. We make provisions to the Secretariat of the Congress to elaborate a Concept for the development of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions as a platform for global interreligious dialogue for 2023-2033.

32. We affirm the role of the Republic of Kazakhstan as an authoritative and global center of dialogue between civilizations, religions and confessions.

33. We thank there Republic of Kazakhstan and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for human initiatives, for having convened the VII Congress of the leaders of world and traditional religions, for the contribution made to creation and progress, to peace and harmony.

34. We are grateful to the Republic of Kazakhstan for theexcellent organization of the Congress and to the Kazakh people for their friendliness and hospitality.

35. We confirm our collective interest in continuing the activities of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and ours intention to convene the next viii Conference in 2025 in the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan.

This Declaration it was adopted by the majority of the delegates to the vii Congress of the leaders of the world and traditional religions e is being broadcast to authorities, political leaders and religious figures around the world, as well as interested regional and international organizations, civil society organizations, religious associations and leading experts. It will also be distributed as an official document of the 77to Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Principles contained in this Declaration can be disseminated at all regional and international levels, so that they are taken into account in all political decisions, legislative norms, educational programs and social media of all the countries concerned.

May our aspirations be blessed and may peace and prosperity be granted to all peoples and countries!

Republic of Kazakhstan

Nur-Sultan

September 15, 2022