Euroasian Jewish News

International Conference for Peace and Harmony - Participation of EAJC delegation.

Opening the First Conference for Peace and Harmony, President Nazarbaev personally read a greeting from George Bush, President of the United States of America, emphasizing that the International Conference for Peace and Harmony was staged on the territory of Kazakhstan because that Republic is becoming a place for positive interaction of the great civilizations.
The ancient Land of Kazakhstan was the final haven of the Islamic thinker and educator Hodja Ahmet Yassawi. In Almaty, the grave of the father of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe is a place of pilgrimage for Chassidic Jews. The city of Karaganda hosts the relics of one of Russian Orthodox saint Father Sebas-tian. According to legend, Zarathustra began his terrestrial journey in the foothills of the Kazakhstan Al-tai. Remains of ancient Buddhist monasteries can be found along the Irtysh River.
Today, President Nazarbaev said, Kazakhstan’s population is drawn from more than 120 ethnic groups and 40 faiths. During the years of Independence, peaceful conditions for coexistence and dialogue between religions have been created in the country.
Kazakhstan is widely considered an ideal place for the exchange of ideas and promotion of dia-logue. The President proposed, at the end of his speech, a Congress of World Religions be held in his homeland.
Heads of the visiting delegations and representatives of the Jewish organizations spoke following president Nazarbaev’s address.
Conference greetings were delivered on behalf of Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon and from President of the Ukraine Leonid Kuchma.
Conference participants created the Forum for Peace and Stability, which was proclaimed in the Declaration under the same title.
A reception with a banquet and a concert brought the conference to a close.

EAJC Public Relations and Media Department