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| The World Needs a Stronger Spiritual and Moral Perspective |
By Khazret Sheikh Absattar Hajji Derbes-Ali, Metropolitan Methodius, Archbishop Tomasz Peta, Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen, and Bishop Yuri Novgorodov
As leaders of religious communities of the multi-religious and multi-ethnic Kazakhstan, a country that has assumed the chairmanship in the OSCE, we call on political, religious and other public figures, as well as all citizens of the European and Asian nations to unite our efforts so that we together meet tough challenges the mankind now faces.
We make this call on behalf of all the people of Kazakhstan who follow different faiths and spiritual traditions and whose experience of inter-ethnic and inter-religious accord helps us preserve peace and stability in the country.
Throughout its history, Kazakhstan has been at the crossroads of some of the greatest civilizations, leaving behind a rich historical and cultural heritage. Today, Kazakhstan is rightly becoming a global platform for dialogue of different states and peoples, as well as cultures and faiths.
The ancient Kazakh land, at the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, has already hosted three Congresses of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. These forums have left their unique imprint in the history of the third millennium as meaningful events, which contributed significantly to improving mutual understanding between various spiritual leaders, religions and peoples.
This is particularly relevant and important at a time when the situation worldwide has been aggravated by the global economic downturn, when the nuclear threat and international terrorism continue to endanger the entire international community, and when people continue killing each other in different parts of the world and thus violating the primary commandment of God.
Today, more than ever, we feel a particularly urgent need for a stronger spiritual and moral perspective. Only spirituality and tolerance are reliable guarantees of genuine freedom and security for the people, as well as a key to the meaning of life now and in the future.
Addressing you with this message, we proceed from universal ideas and values of humanism and each of us relies on the fundamental tenets of his religion, which are known throughout the civilized world.
The Prophet Mohammed, may God bless him, clearly defined the main aim of his mission in this world in the following words: “I was sent only to enhance the nobleness of morality”.
Jesus Christ asks: “What is the use of becoming a master of the entire world for a man if this damages his soul?”
The Talmud proclaims: “Every man ought to remember that it is for him and under his responsibility that this world was created”.
We are confident that in times of the global economic crisis and of moral disorientation, religious communities should make a decisive contribution to achieving the common good.
We are calling upon all states to refrain from using religious differences for political purposes, but instead to work hard towards building a just peace for all. Political and religious leaders responsible for making decisions at the global level should act transparently and in close collaboration with their societies, with older and younger generations, with men and women, believers and non-believers. Only thanks to such policies with solid spiritual and moral foundations that humanity can reach a world without wars and deprivation.
We encourage strongly and pray tirelessly for continuing the dialogue among religious communities, political leaders, international organizations, and civil societies.
We ask all religious communities that, being mindful of their holy mission, they serve their people according to God’s commandments, which are all about beautifying hearts and directing people to the path of spirituality, mutual understanding, and cooperation. This is our sacred duty before God.
This is our vision of what is needed in the world today, one with which we appeal to the world, and we strongly hope our appeal will be heard.
May God bless our works and deeds! May Him send peace and prosperity to all the peoples!
Khazret Sheikh Absattar Hajji Derbes-Ali is the Supreme Mufti and Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Kazakhstan’s Muslims.
Methodius is the Metropolitan of Astana and Almaty of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Archbishop Tomasz Peta is the Archbishop of Astana and the President of the Episcopal Conference of Kazakhstan.
Yeshaya Cohen is the Chief Rabbi of Kazakhstan.
Yuri Novgorodov is the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kazakhstan.
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| Date : |
19/05/2010 |
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