Teachers of the Department of Religious Studies and Cultural Studies, students of the specialty “Religious Studies” met and exchanged views with the leaders of religious associations in Almaty, and also shared their thoughts, ideas and experience in implementing one of the main principles of the policy of the state of Kazakhstan on sustainable development goals: “The human right to live in harmony with nature, in a healthy, creative way.”

Representatives of religious confessions were specially invited to the meeting: Abishev Kuanysh, naib imam of the Central Mosque of Almaty, member of the RIPG, deacon Roman Karaman, priest of the Ascension Cathedral, Chairman of the local religious association of the Society for Krishna Consciousness in Almaty Viktor Ivanovich Golous, head of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Paveleo Danil Daniilovich, Buddhist Berik Temirbai Sandybaev, adhering to the Karma Kagyu tradition.

The peculiarity of this meeting was that representatives of each faith spoke about the basic principles of their religion in close connection with the secular policy of the country. In particular, they drew attention to the fact that October 18, the Day of Spiritual Harmony, is celebrated only in Kazakhstan, and that this unique holiday is a guarantee of the unity and solidarity of all ethnic groups and religions of Kazakhstan.

Students asked various questions to leaders of different faiths: from personal religious beliefs to religious situations in society. Students and guests were very pleased and impressed by the exchanges.

Kurmanalieva A.D., Head of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies

Borbasova K.M. Kantarbaeva Zh.O., teachers of the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies