Azernews.Az

Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev has called on religious leaders to protect young people from radical movements.

"Given global trends, we need to find an effective model of cooperation between the state, society and religion. Our historic choice is a secular state. However, secular does not mean atheist. Secular means peaceful, progressive and tolerant. We support our traditional religion and categorically deny any extremism. I believe the youth should be protected from radical religious movements that are alien to us. Therefore, I hope our religious leaders of all major faiths will work on this path," the president said at the Twentieth Session of the People's Assembly of Kazakhstan on Wednesday.

"During the past two decades, Kazakhstan's path became a role model for national success for many independent countries. This is a result of hard work and the unity of all people of Kazakhstan. This is a great ability of only strong nations," Nazarbayev said.

The president reiterated his compatriots of the need to appreciate the peace and cherish it.

"What kind of investment, what kind of development, what kind of consent is observed in countries at war today? They fell back by 10-20 years, instead of developing. Almaty will soon host a special conference on Afghanistan; this country's people have been engaged in civil war for the past 30 years. A person born 30 years ago has never held anything in his hands except for a Kalashnikov rifle. Not even a shovel, nothing. How long do these people need to get up from their knees? Therefore, we need to appreciate this golden heritage... Kazakhstan is one land and one people," Nazarbayev said.