New Delhi, April.1 (ANI): A round table on the role of the Congress of World and Traditional Religions was held here recently with the objective of promoting international and inter-confessional dialogue.
Organised and hosted by the Embassy of Kazakhstan at the Leela Palace Hotel, the event was attended by several dignitaries, including Member of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Bolat Zhylkyshiyev, Dr. Dave, Dr. Homi Dhalla, Somaya Samir Shantila, Chairman of the Institute for the Research of Indology and Interreligious Dialogue, President of the Jamaat-u-Shabab-e Islam Salman Al Husaini Al Nadwi, President of the World Council of Cultural Heritage of Zarathushtra Dr. Homi Dhalla.
There were more than 50 delegates representing different religious confessions, such as Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Jainism, officials of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs also participated in the meeting. Representatives of Sikhism and Jainism participated for the first time.
The event was held to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religion.
Senator Zhylkyshiev shared Kazakhstan's experience of interfaith harmony. He described the evolution and the role of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
He also held meetings with the heads of the major religions of India, and partners of the Congress.
The photo exhibition showed the milestones achieved by the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions over the last decade.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Dave of Akshardam described the Congress as having provided a tremendous opportunity over the last decade to get first-hand knowledge of leading, practicing religious leaders of the world on various aspects of peace, prosperity and tolerance.
"The aim is to prevent religious zealotry, inter-faith and inter-ethnics conflicts. This is to create a climate of peace and understanding. It has become an organic and effective global dialogue centre between propounders of major world religions," he said.
Dr. Homi Dhalla said:" The purpose of my paper is to place certain suggestions to activate this important interfaith organization."
He also praised Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev as the main architect of the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapons-Free-Zone, adding that it had
helped to usher in a period of great peace and stability in the region.
Dr. Kala Acharya said that he had attended all the four Congresses and also five meetings of Secretariat as well as five meetings of working group.
Reaclling for Indian President Dr. S.Radhakrishnan's words that "the new world of peace, freedom and safety for all can be achieved only by those who are moved by great spiritual ideas," he said President Nazarbayev had recognized the great responsibility held by religious leaders for spiritual teaching and advocacy on behalf of current and future generations.
He said President Nazarbayev had revealed his understanding about the pressing need for open mindedness for an interfaith dialogue.
Syed Salman Husaini Al-Nadwi spoke about India being a country of multi-religions and cultures, and many confluences.
"This country, having in its lap the worlds' religions, offers an example to the whole world. Perhaps, because of these reasons, the President of Kazakhstan has chosen Delhi for this programme of the Worlds' Religions," he said.
He called for a world that is free from all sorts of violence, biasness, narrow-mindedness and in which the higher human morals may flourish and the new generations may achieve the splendid and good lives.
Samir Somaiya said: " We hope these meetings have a far reaching impact on society. We should find amongst ourselves, the ability to learn from one another, and build a formidable group to work together. The Congress meetings will provide opportunities for soul searching to one and all who participate in them or who witness them. The efforts will certainly bear fruit sooner or later."
The First Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held on September 23-24, 2003 in Astana. The next three were held in 2006, 2009 and 2012 in the same city.
According to President Nazarbayev, "the congresses have, to a certain extent, contributed to preventing the world from falling into the abyss of "the clash of civilizations". (ANI)
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