Intensify Calls For Peace, Harmony - Kazakhstan President

From Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad ASTANA (Kazakhstan), June 10 (Bernama) -- Islam is one of the most tolerant religions in the world and any attempt to use the religion to justify extremism and terrorism in any of its forms is blasphemous, says Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev. "The number of military conflicts under the guise of religion has grown dramatically. Actions of extremist groups split apart the community in Asia and Africa. "At this difficult time, I call all religious leaders to intensify for peace, harmony, tolerance and forgiveness...like other religions of the world, Islam is one of the most tolerant religions," he said when opening The V Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions here Wednesday. The forum is attended by 80 delegations from 42 countries. As part of the V Congress, two plenary and four breakout sessions will be held. Also present were United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. During the sessions, the congress will discuss issues on Religious and Political Leaders: Responsibility to Humanity, Influence of Religion on the Youth: Education, Science, Culture and Mass Media, Religion and Politics: New Trends and Prospects, Dialogue based on Mutual Respect and Understanding among Leaders of World and Traditional Religions for Peace, Security and Harmony. Commenting further, Nazarbayev said all religions of the world called for tolerance, patience and accord. "According to the Quran, killing one person equals killing the entire mankind. Care about doing good things for people, be at peace with all people, says the Quran," he added. On another note, Nazarbayev said the congress presented an opportunity to create an effective instrument of global tolerance and interaction in the 21st century. "Astana, for the fifth time welcomes participants and guests of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. "We've gathered here under the dome of the Palace of Peace and Accord to create the great history of tolerance, global dialogue of cultures and religions," he said. The Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions has warm relations with major international organisations such as the Muslim World League (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia); Community of Sant’Egidio (Italy); Casa Asia (Spain); Tony Blair Foundation (Great Britain); Cordoba Initiative (United States), as well as CIS Inter-religious Council, Religions for Peace Conference, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue. --BERNAMA