Football tournament among representatives of religious denominations takes place in Astana
The tournament, dedicated to the Independence Day of Kazakhstan and the 110th anniversary of Kazakhstan football, was held with the support of the Center for the Study of Religions in Astana. This event was aimed at promoting interreligious and interfaith dialogue as integral elements of a culture of peace and harmony.
It is worth mentioning that in 2023 the XXI meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions took place. Then the country's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that over two decades of his activity, the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions has made a significant contribution to strengthening interreligious peace and harmony, promoting the ideas of tolerance and mutual support, and contributing to the solution of significant world problems.
The opening ceremony of the tournament was attended by the head of the Center for the Study of Religions in Astana Almas Ernazarov, the representative of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, the Chief Imam of Astana Erbolat Zhusupov, Archbishop, Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of St. Mary in Astana Tomas Peta, regional coordinator of the Union of Churches of Christians of the Evangelical Faith of Kazakhstan Sergei Kan and President of the Kazakhstan Football Federation Adlet Barmenkulov.
“We all know that today more than 3,800 religious associations representing 18 faiths live peacefully in Kazakhstan. This tournament, which is supported by UEFA, is the embodiment of national identity, cultural diversity and social solidarity. Let this tournament bring us all joy and only positive emotions,” said KFF President Adlet Barmenkulov.
12 teams from among parishioners of various religious associations took part in the KFF Cup.
1. “Alash” – a team of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan
2. “Turan” – team of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan
3. “Fatima” – team of the Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic Church of Astana
4. “Agape” – team of the Union of Churches of Christians of the Evangelical Faith of Kazakhstan
5. “Light of Love” – team of the Union of Churches of Christians of the Evangelical Faith of Kazakhstan
6. “Salem United” – team of the Astana community of Evangelical Christian Baptists
7. Team of the “Church of Evangelical Christian Baptists”
8. Team of the New Apostolic Church in Astana
9. Team of the “Bahai Community of Astana”
10. “Balarama” – team of the Society for Krishna Consciousness in Astana”
11. Church of the Nazarene
12. Team of the Center for the Study of Religions in Astana.
According to the results of the tournament, first place was taken by the team of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan “Turan”, second place was won by the team of the Center for the Study of Religions in Astana, and third place went to the team of the “Bahai Community of Astana”. The winner was awarded the “Friendship Cup among religious denominations”, and the teams were awarded with memorable gifts from the KFF.
The winners of individual awards were also determined:
Best Goalkeeper – Nurbek Kurmet (Bahai Community of Astana)
Best defender – Azimbek Kuralbaev (Turan)
Best forward – Azamat Nurzhanuly (Alash)
Top scorer – Madiyar Ramazanov (Astana Center for the Study of Religions)
The participants emphasized that in modern conditions, religious tolerance and interfaith harmony are the main values of modern Kazakhstan. The formation of interfaith tolerance and attitudes of tolerant consciousness in modern society has educational significance for our entire society.
