Astana (Kazakhstan), July 31 : Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has said that the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, which is also known is Oraza Ait in Kazakhstan, promotes both peace and stability among various communities, and not just Muslims.

Tengrinews quoted President Nazarbayev, as saying recently that the month of Ramadan is a period during which Muslims all over the world seek spiritual purification.

He also said that it was a period of spiritual reward for noble intentions and good deeds.

"Islam calls the mankind to peace and stability. These high values unite not only Muslims, but the whole nation of Kazakhstan. This makes Oraza Ait a true holiday of unity for all the citizens," Nazarbayev was quoted, as saying.

"Kazakhstan society takes pride in its rich spiritual heritage and strong relations based on mutual respect and consent. I am calling all Kazakhstanies to strengthen these traditions and always cherish our constructive values. May Oraza-Ait bring inspiration to out nation, and peace and well-being to your families!" he said.

Kazakhstan attaches great importance to the global promotion of peace and development of inter-confessional dialogue. In September 2003, Kazakhstan organized and hosted the first ever Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which gathered senior clerics from Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism and other faiths.

The next three Congress' were held in 2006, 2009 and 2012 in the same city.

Kazakhstan and Indian delegation were represented at all sessions of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions regularly.

A regular dialogue between the leaders of world and traditional religions opens "wide prospects for mutual cooperation and contributes to overcoming negative manifestations such as violence, fanaticism, extremism and terrorism."

Kazakhstan's initiative has gained worldwide recognition, so much so, that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Resolution on Promotion of Inter-Religious Dialogue on November 12, 2004. The resolution stresses the commitment of all religions to promote peace and stability all over the world, and appeals to the international community to promote inter-religious dialogue, a culture of peace and greater dialogue among civilizations.

In 2013, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in New Delhi organized a round table at the Leela Palace Hotel to mark the 10th anniversary of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religion.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including more than 50 delegates representing different religious confessions, such as Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Jainism, officials of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Representatives of Sikhism and Jainism participated for the first time.

The 13th meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions will be held on September 18 in Astana.

The secretariat meeting will be an important preparatory stage for the 5th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2015.

India will be represented in the 2015 Congress accordingly.

According to President Nazarbayev, "the congresses have, to a certain extent, contributed to preventing the world from falling into the abyss of "the clash of civilizations. (ANI)