Daghestan hosts 1st international inter-religious youth forum

Makhachkala, August 14, 2014. The 1st international inter-religious youth forum was taking place 3-12 August at the "Kizlyar Lagoon" recreation center on the Caspian seashore in Makhachkala, Daghestan committee on freedom of conscience and cooperation with religious organizations informed RIA "Dagestan".

The forum was organized at the initiative of the Makhachkala Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church and was held with the support of Daghestan government, Daghestan Spiritual Muslim Board, the interregional youth laboratory for Caucasus development, and the non-profit charity "Fund for supporting Islamic culture, science and education".

The event brought together more than 100 young people aged 14-30 representing North Caucasus Federal District regions, South Ossetia and Azerbaijan. Within the 10 days, they attended workshops, VIP-lectures, meetings with prominent political, social and religious leaders, and intellectual, cultural and sports events.

On 12 August, at the closing ceremony of the forum, Deputy Daghestan Prime Minister R. Jafarov noted the significance of this event in strengthening good neighborly and interfaith relations between the North Caucasus peoples. He said the forum’s most important outcome was participants’ unity and friendship.