Undamped seats of tension, regional conflicts, growth of extremism and terrorism in the modern world induce many to speak about " the conflict of civilizations ", at which the world is divided into resisting each other cultures, ideologies and religious views. The most pessimistic forecasts draw a picture of return to times of crusades and "holy wars ".

One of the main reasons of a developing situation is called the process of globalization of the world, ostensibly leveling civilization the foundations of the peoples of the world. Accordingly growth of religious consciousness in the separate countries is considered as attempt of preservation of ethnic and cultural identity, and facts of religious extremism - response to painful intervention from the outside.

The safety in XXI century can not be supplied without development of equal in rights dialogue of various cultures and religions.

In these conditions the policy of Kazakhstan located in the heart of Eurasia and traditional since times of a Great silk way acting as the original bridge between civilizations and place of peace coexistence of various cultures and confessions, is aimed at development of interstate, interethnic and interconfessional dialogue in the boon of a civilization. Therefore, Kazakhstan acts as original "bridge", link between Asia and West.

Principles of interconfessional equality and consent of Kazakhstan consistently carries out and on the international arena. The authority of the President N. Nazarbayev, managed to save the country from interethnic and interconfessional conflicts, gives Kazakhstan the moral right to act with peacemaking initiatives as the intermediary in interconfessional dialogue and to be heard all over the world.

In June, 2002 on the initiative N. Nazarbayev in Almaty on first summit of Meeting on interaction and measures of trust in Asia (SVMDA) met at one table the president of Pakistan P. Musharraf and prime minister of India A. Vajpay. After summit, finished by acceptance of the Declaration of SVMDA about elimination of terrorism and assistance to dialogue of civilizations, the tension on border of India and Pakistan went on a loss.

In 2002 Kazakhstan addressed to all confessions of continent with the offer to accept the Euroasian charter of interconfessional peace and consent. This idea the president N. Nazarbayev stated on IX of session of Assembly of the Nations of Kazakhstan. In February, 2003 Kazakhstan acted as the initiator of realization of a Conference of the peace and consent with participation of the representatives of Muslim and Judaic communities. On results of meeting the declaration "To the peace and consent" was accepted.

In September, 2003 on the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan the first Congress of the leaders of world religions was held which collected together representatives of all world confessions. The congress continued the best traditions of Assisi forums 1986 and 2002 years and showed to entire world an opportunity of productive dialogue between confessions. The second Congress of the world and traditional - national religions which have been carried out in 2006 introduced a new pulse in process of creation of interconfessional dialogue.

Being the secular state, Kazakhstan guarantees free development and dialogue of all religious confessions of any direction. Due to purposeful state policy for today in Kazakhstan peacefully coexist more than 120 nations and more than 40 confessions. Two largest of them - are Muslim and Orthodox Christian.

In the country the steady growth of number of religious organizations is observed. For example, in 1989 in Kazakhstan were totaled 671 religious organizations representing 20 confessions and denominations. Now exists already more than 2,5 thousand of religious associations representing 46 confessions and denominations.

On legislative base guaranteeing freedom of conscience and activity of various religious associations in the country today is generated. The religious sphere is adjusted by the Constitution of the country and other legal texts. One of the first in Kazakhstan was accepted the law on religious associations guaranteeing freedom of creed of Kazakhstanians.

For years of independence in Kazakhstan all conditions for peace coexistence of confessions are created on the basis of constant dialogue between them, initiated and supported by the state. For this period total of religious associations working in the country, increased in 4,5 times, and makes today more than 3 thousand.

There were constructed about 1,5 thousand of new mosques, more than 170 orthodox parishes, more than 30 Catholic kostels, more than 1 thousand prayer houses and missions of Protestant churches are open.

If till 1991 in territory of Kazakhstan there was only 1 Jewish synagogue, now works about 20.

The international scientific conference "Islamic civilization in Central Asia" is one more bright certificate of indefatigable aspiration of Kazakhstan to dialogue of civilizations.

On information of
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