President Zhaparov meets OTS religious leaders
Bishkek, Sept. 11, 25. /Kabar/. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov received a delegation of religious leaders of the member countries of Organization of Turkic States (OTS).
The head of state recalled that on November 6 last year, the 11th OTS summit took place in Bishkek. The chairmanship of the Organization passed to Kyrgyzstan in 2025.
Sadyr Zhaparov emphasized that one of the most important areas of cooperation within the OTS is interaction in the religious sphere.
"Our efforts must direct to ensure that the Islam values - the religion of faith and morality, unity and harmony, are combined with the national traditions and cultural heritage of the Turkic world and serve the bright future of our peoples. This, in turn, will strengthen the moral foundations of society.
In this regard, today’s meeting is very important in strengthening the spiritual unity of the Turkic states, developing fraternal and friendly relations," the president said.
He noted that Kyrgyzstan is a multi-confessional and multi-ethnic country. Muslims make up 90 percent of the population.
"At that point, a number of reforms have been carried out in Kyrgyzstan in recent years in the religious sphere, and comprehensive support is provided to the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan - the Muftiyat.
This year, the State Commission on Religious Affairs was transformed into the National Agency for Religious Affairs and Interethnic Relations under the President and came under my personal control.
In addition, an Islamic Academy will be opened in Tokmok city, aimed at raising the level of religious literacy, retraining and advanced training of religious workers," said Sadyr Zhaparov. He also mentioned about newly adopted law which ensures a freedom of religion for citizens.
The head of state highlighted that in the modern world, the influence of various religious movements is growing, and especially young people are easily influenced by using Internet and social networks.
Therein, Sadyr Zhaparov emphasized that one of the key tasks of spiritual leaders is to educate the younger generation based on traditional religious values and national traditions. The society needs young people with pure faith, educated and resistant to the harmful influences of alien ideas.
The president called upon the spiritual leaders to work actively in protecting youth from radical movements, to give them the right guidance and knowledge that will help strengthen national unity and stability.
In turn, the muftis of the OTS member states expressed gratitude to the President for the reception and noted the significant results achieved during Kyrgyzstan's chairmanship in the Organization.
The religious leaders especially noted the importance of such events, the purpose is to promote unity, spread spiritual values and preserve traditional Islam.
The muftis assured that they will make every effort to counter radicalism, as well as to educate young people and raise them in the spirit of faith, morality and national traditions.
At the end of the meeting, Sadyr Zhaparov was awarded with “Aikol” by the Muftiyat for his significant contribution to strengthening cultural ties between the Turkic states and for his support in the development of spiritual values.
