Interfaith Festival Was Held in Astana
On July 26-27, the capital of Kazakhstan hosted an Interfaith Festival under the motto «Unity in Diversity». This unique event brought together representatives from various religious communities and cultural traditions, creating an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect. The festival became a true celebration where everyone could find inspiration and new knowledge.
Day One: Immersion in Knowledge and Practices
The festival began with a vibrant fair. Various religious communities showcased their traditions through workshops and exhibits. Visitors could learn to draw mehndi, sample organic products, watch caricature artists at work, and even create their own paintings with other festival participants.
The opening ceremony set a formal tone for the event. Keynote speakers included Anuar Khatiev, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, and Amanzhol Urazbayev, Chairman of the NGO «Counter-Terrorism Committee».
Anuar Khatiev highlighted the festival’s unique format: «This platform offers a new and special experience. Typically, our events involve religious associations, but here, business representatives from various religious backgrounds will also be heard. This platform allows both religious associations and entrepreneurs to discuss their issues and development. As a state, we are happy and ready to support such events».
Amanzhol Urazbayev continued: «It’s heartening to see that despite our differences, we are united in our desire to come together. This platform provides a great opportunity to make new friends and reconnect with old ones. Most importantly, we will exchange experiences and contacts to apply this positive experience in our work».
Following the official part, a series of four workshops began. The first was led by Gulnaz Razdykova, Director of the «Center for the Analysis and Development of Interfaith Relations» in Pavlodar region, who shared her experience working with trauma survivors, offering practical advice and deep empathy.
Rinat Dzhaparov, a representative of the Society for Krishna Consciousness and Director of «Organic Village» spoke about running an ethical and eco-friendly business based on his religious beliefs. «All sacred scriptures share the idea that people should not live solely for themselves and make money» noted Dzhaparov.
The third speaker was Baglan Ayazbayev, a representative of the Baha’i community and founder of the «Smart Zebra» app. His workshop, «Why Do Startups Want to Make the World a Better Place» reflected his concerns about children’s addiction to gadgets. His app was developed by professional educators who considered the risks of such addictions. Participants had the chance to create their own startup contributing to society’s development, with the winner receiving a smart «Yandex» speaker.
Chingiz Dauletbayev, a practicing Muslim and founder of «Trustme.kz,» concluded the workshops with the topic «Ethical Business and Contract Agreements». He explained how the idea for his company, specializing in online contracts, came from the Quran: «When you make a contract, record it in the presence of two men and one woman as witnesses». Using this principle, he created «smart» contracts, replacing witnesses with blockchain technology.
Dauletbayev emphasized the ethical role of religion in business development: «Our country is a haven of peace in this turbulent world, much like Switzerland once was. I believe and dream that our country will remain such a haven. Business people should act ethically and responsibly, and faith supports this. When you have faith, you know someone is watching over you, and every religion preaches kindness and integrity».
After the workshops, participants revisited the fair, socializing in an informal setting. A local government representative remarked, «At this festival, we see people of different faiths who all agree that God is one…»
Day Two: Inspiration and Reflection
The second day of the festival began with inspiring «Belief Talks». Each 5-7 minute talk was filled with deep meaning and personal stories about how faith helped overcome life’s challenges.
Gulzhan Amandykovna shared her experience of returning to life after severe trials, offering insights on overcoming difficulties.
Aigul Salikhova discussed living in harmony with oneself, touching on mental health and inner balance: «On a spiritual level, we are all the same. Qualities like compassion, love, and honesty are important to us all. These are universal, interfaith principles, differing only in their expression. By uniting under these principles, we help each other, and the world moves towards development rather than degradation».
Manshuk Abdikarimova spoke about the potential of adolescence, reminding participants of the importance of supporting young people’s aspirations and dreams.
Vladimir Sekishev, head of a charitable foundation, emphasized the importance of second chances, sharing his organization’s work in rehabilitating former alcohol and drug addicts.
Motivating personal stories were also shared by Bolat Bekmagambetov of the Society for Krishna Consciousness, and Protestant guests from Karaganda, Sergei Kachalov and Yakov Lebedkin.
After two hours of talks, participants gathered at the fair to complete a communal painting symbolizing the unity of different religions in Kazakhstan, fostering closer connections and conversations.
The Interfaith Festival in Astana vividly demonstrated how diverse cultures and religions can unite, creating a space for dialogue, mutual respect, and collaborative creativity.
