In Simferopol Took Place Second Scientific Conference Devoted to Interconfessional Relations in Crimea

In November, 12th, in the Simferopol branch of the All-Ukrainian Association of Social Organizations "Аlraid" took place the second scientific conference "Cultural-civilizational Dialogue and Ways of Harmonization of Interethnic and Interconfessional Relations in Crimea". The meeting was organized by the Crimean branch of Agatangel Krimskiy Institute of Oriental Studies of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and "Alraid". The conference was devoted to actual questions of studying of historical experience and methods of formation of tolerance and harmonious relations between representatives of various religions living in Crimea.

While opening the conference, the chairman of "Alraid" in Crimea doctor Muhammad Taha noticed that the paramount purpose of the forum is the appeal to mutual respect, cooperation and peace between all faiths and the people dwelling in the peninsula. "According to the saying of our Prophet, "All people were created from Adam, and Adam was created from the earth". In the Holy Quran we read, "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)". (Quran, 49: 13) According to these words we call all people in Crimea and Ukraine to live in peace and consent among each other", doctor Taha said.

Assistant to the constant representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Ramzi Havadzhi expressed his confidence that similar conferences will become traditional. "... And though there were no any noticeable effect after the previous, the first conference, but the proverb says, "Water sharpens a stone", and this effect necessarily will appear". Ramzi Havadzhi greeted the audience on the behalf of the President of Ukraine. "Any nationality in the modern world cannot pretend to be the most cultural and civilised. Cultural and educated person will never afford any statements offending national dignity of another person", it reads.

Among the most interesting reports and messages sounded at this meeting, it is necessary to note the following, "Islamic Fundamentalism and the Problem of Toleration", by the adviser for work with public of "Alraid", the director of the Higher School of Hafith Seyran Arifov; "Role of Public Religious Organizations in Harmonization of Interethnic Relations" by chairman of "Alraid" Ismail Kadi; "Dynamics of Territorial Localization of Ethnosocial Contradictions in Northern Crimea" by the scholars of Taurian National university of Vernadsky Andrey Jakovlev and Alexander Shvets; "Islam through the Prism of Modern Mythology of Crimea" by senior lecturer of chair of political sciences of Taurian university Elvira Muratova; "Ethnocultural Orientations of Students Youth of the City of Sevastopol" by senior lecturer of chair of humanitarian and social and economic disciplines of Sevastopol National University of Nuclear Power and Industry.

The vice-president of the committee on affairs of religions of Autonomous Republic of Crimea Ayder Bulatov came up with the idea of correctness of the approach of "Alraid" Association on the way of decision of the designated topic. "In Crimea there was no organization which would unite the scientific elite working in the sphere of international and interconfessional relations. "Alraid" became such uniting factor. How much successfully the events will develop will further show the success of the dialogue in these conferences; how many scientists will find among themselves things in common and how much impartially they will consider the events occurring in Crimea", emphasized Ayder Bulatov.

Info. Department of "Alraid"