OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek supports development of interfaith dialogue in Kyrgyzstan

The State Committee on Religious Affairs of Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek held the National Forum on Inter-confessional Dialogue on 29 and 30 November 2017 in Bishkek.

The Forum brought together 60 representatives of religious confessions, Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan, Ulema Council of Kyrgyzstan, national theologists as well as government bodies and civil society.

The participants discussed modalities of interaction between State and religious organizations, importance of interfaith and intercommunity dialogue, shared the best practices of inter-confessional co-operation and the role of religious leaders in educating and cultivating tolerance and respect for different cultures.

Valeriu Chiveri, OSCE Programme Office Deputy Head said: “States can play an important role in promoting interfaith dialogue as a building block of peaceful coexistence, social stability and security.” He added the Office in Bishkek supports promotion of an interfaith dialogue conducted within a human rights framework, including with respect for the right to freedom of religion or belief for all.

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek has been assisting the Presidential Administration, Government, Jogorku Kenesh, law enforcement agencies, religious communities, as well as civil society and academia in promoting freedom of religion and belief in Kyrgyzstan.

In September this year, the Office supported a high level international conference  “Islam in Contemporary Secular Society”, initiated by the President of the Kyrgyzstan, that was attended by representatives of more than 20 countries.

The State Committee on Religious Affairs is being supported on implementation of the National Strategy on Religious Affairs by facilitating an open inter-faith and multi-ethnic dialogue in Kyrgyzstan.

The Office supports the Ministry of Education and Science and the Committee in their efforts to introduce the new school subject ‘History of Religious Culture’. This year, the Office has supported three training courses on teaching methods for 90 instructors of the course from 56 pilot schools across Kyrgyzstan.