Interfaith conference within framework of II International Interreligious Youth Forum takes place in Makhachkala

Makhachkala, August 6, 2015. The conference "Interfaith dialogue – the way to develop civil society", dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of Derbent has started August 4th, on the second day of the II International Interreligious Youth Forum. The interfaith conference was attended by the representatives of Muslim, Christian and Jewish religious organizations, public authorities, the scientific intelligentsia and public organizations.

The Chairman of the Committee on Freedom of Conscience, Cooperation with Religious Organizations RD Suleyman Magomedov opened the event, greeted the participants on behalf of the republican Government and wished fruitful work. Magomedov also expressed gratitude to the guests involved in scientific events, for their interest to the problems of interfaith dialogue.  

The first deputy mufti Ahmad Kakhaev greeted the participants and outlined the importance and timeliness of both the conference and inter-religious forum.
The substantial report on the fundamental human freedoms delivered by the member of the Human Rights Council under the President of the Russian Federation, the public figure and journalist Maxim Shevchenko, struck a chord with many of the conference participants. Noteworthy, the information portal "Caucasian policy" founded by Shevchenko pursue the objective to protect the fundamental human freedoms, which, in fact, is the main direction of the portal.

The reports of Muftis of Abkhazia and the Republic of Belarus Alexander Shabanovich, the North Ossetia-Alania H. Gatsalov, the representative of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea M. Islamov, Vyborg and Priozersk Bishop Ignatius, the bishop Korenovsky Stephen, the representative of the Jewish community of Dagestan B. Khanukaev were devoted to the role of religion in society, the interfaith cooperation and the peace keeping mission of Abrahamic religions.

Minister for National Policy RD Tatiana Gamaley spoke at the conference too. After listing all the resonance ethnic conflicts that have occurred since the early 90s. in the Russian Federation, Gamaley told about their causes and grave consequences for social life. Gamaley called on the clergy to carry out preventive work with parishioners in this area because, as a rule, ethnic conflicts often lead to conflicts on religious grounds or exacerbate inter-religious hatred.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the II International interreligious Youth Forum S. Magomedov presented the participants of the conference the letters of appreciation for their contribution to the spiritual and moral and patriotic education of youth, preservation of inter-religious peace and harmony as the historical heritage of Russia.