President of Kazakhstan congratulated Orthodox Christians on Christmas

Astana, 08 January, 2009 (Khabar)- The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev has congratulated Orthodox Christians on Christmas. “Dear compatriots, orthodox Christians of Kazakhstan! I cordially congratulate you on light holiday of Christmas! Today all the citizens of multi confessional and multinational Kazakhstan celebrate this holiday together with you. Respected and careful attitude to the various religions is one of the most important bases of Kazakhstan society. Our country has never faced religious, national or race intolerance. And the state always tried to create conditions for nations living in Kazakhstan, for their preserving their native language, culture, traditions and customs and freely express their religious views. Today the citizens of our country independently of their religion and nation together build new modern Kazakhstan.
Our country became one of the centers of dialogue among religions and civilizations of modern world. Third Congress of world and traditional religions will be held this summer in Astana. I would like to note big role of Russian Orthodox Church in spiritual life of the country. New churches are built and Sunday schools function. Soon new Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia will be elected and it is a great event for the Russian Orthodox Christians. And we sincerely wish the Church to find new worthy spiritual pastor.
Friendship, unity and accord of Kazakhstani society helped us to over pass any difficulties during hard period. I am sure the united people of Kazakhstan will over pass with dignity and honor the global financial and economic crisis with which the whole world faced.
On the light holiday of Christmas I wish all of you health and family welfare and success in your jobs! Let peace and calmness be in our common home!” says the congratulation of the President.