Interfaith Dialogue and Kazakhstan at the Intersections

News_07.09_Interfaith-Dialogue-and-Kazakhstan-at-the-Intersections
Delegates and staff listen to Kazakhstan Ambassador to the U.S. Erlin Idrissov

Kazakhstani President Nursultant Nazarbayev has proclaimed publicly that interreligious dialogue is an important element in combating political extremism in Central Asia and across the globe.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

On Friday, June 12, Intersections hosted Kazakhstan Ambassador to the U.S. Erlin Idrissov, who briefed a five-member delegation that will travel to Astana, Kazakhstan, in July for the Third Congress on World and Traditional Religions.

The high level delegation, brought together by Intersections at the request of the Kazakhstan Embassy, represents U.S. Muslims, Jews, and Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians. The delegates hope that the Congress is the beginning of sustained dialogue among the world's religions to enhance global peace and security. Intersections staffers Sara Reef and Eduardo Vargas are accompanying the delegation to lay the groundwork for working groups, especially among women, youth and environmentalists.

Kazakhstan is uniquely situated on the world stage. In 2010, the Central Asian nation will chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) -- a 56-nation association that includes the U.S. and Canada. In 2011, Kazakhstan will chair the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), comprised of 57 Muslim majority countries spread over four continents. Kazakhstan is promoting these efforts to work across faith-based lines for the common good. Kazakhstani President Nursultant Nazarbayev has proclaimed publicly that interreligious dialogue is an important element in combating political extremism in Central Asia and across the globe.

The U.S. delegation includes: Ms. Debbie Almontaser, a consultant on cultural/religious diversity issues for the NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, NYPD and City Council; Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon, of New York's Congregation B'nai Jeshurun; the Rev. Dennis D. McManus, Professor of Theology at Georgetown University and Interreligious Affairs Consultant for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; and the Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson, North American President of the World Council of Churches and member of the WCC Central Committee since 1998.

Intersections Founding Director Robert Chase is serving on the planning committee of the Fourth Congress, slated for 2012.