Kazakh pres notes significance of world forum of spiritual culture.

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18/10 Tass 85

ASTANA, October 18 (Itar-Tass) - Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev
said the strengthening of the spirit, which is inherent in Kazakhstan's
multi-ethnic culture, is an important element of its policy.
"Kazakhstan marks the Day of Spiritual Accord each year. Our capital
Astana has become the venue of the Congress of the leaders of world and
traditional religions. The theme of trust, tolerance, mutual enrichment of
cultural traditions and an open dialogue is part of the agenda of the
summit of the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe to be
held in Astana," Nazarbayev said in a message to the participants of the
World Forum of Spiritual Culture, which opened in Astana on Monday.
The president's address to the forum participants was read by Kazakh
senate speaker Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev.
It also noted that "the promotion of spiritual values capable of
uniting people of various ethnic groups and religions, requires constant
efforts on the part of religious leaders, scientists and artists of
different countries."
"I'm confident that holding the World Forum of Spiritual Culture will
become an important move toward strengthening spirituality, and expanding
the dialogue between cultures and civilizations of the modern world,"
Nazarbayev said.
Taking part in the Astana forum are more than 500 noted scientists,
politicians, public figures, artists and clerical leaders. Among the
guests are Bava Jain, secretary-general of Millennium World Peace Summit
of Religious and Spiritual Leaders (USA), Reinhart Ruge (Mexico), honorary
president for life of World Constitutional and Parliamentary Association,
and Oscar Prize winner Adrien Brody. Russia has sent the largest
delegation to the forum. It includes rector of the Moscow State University
of Culture and Arts Dr. Ramazan Abdulatipov, writer and journalist, Head
of Charity Foundation named after Artyom Borovik, Genrikh Borovik; film
director Stanislav Govorukhin, honorary doctor of Buddhist philosophy
Prof. Nikolai Abayev, deputy mufti of Chechnya's Muslim Spiritual
Administration Aslan Abdulayev;pilot-cosmonaut Vladimir Aksyonov, who is
the leader of Russia's Spiritual Movement; chairman of the Union of
Composers Vladislav Kazenin, clown Yuri Kuklachyov, and former world
boxing champion Konstantin Tszyu.
The organizers said the forum "will become a means of search for a way
out of the systemic crisis of the modern civilization by promoting the
priority of spirituality of culture over all other public values." Forum
guests will attend conferences, round table discussions, seminars and
working groups' meetings. The forum will end on October 20.
-0-myz/kud