Chief Rabbi of Kazakhstan visits Washington

ASTANA. March 6. KAZINFORM Chief Rabbi of Kazakhstan Yeshaya E. Cohen visited Washington on March 2-4; Kazinform has learnt from the press service of Kazakh Embassy in the USA.

During the visit the chief of the Jewry held meetings with US official representatives, Jewish associations and human rights communities, religious leaders, experts and mass media. The purpose of the visit was to elucidate the real situation of religious freedom in Kazakhstan, and to strengthen the religious connections between Kazakhstan and the USA and advocate the abolition of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. The Chief Rabbi told about tolerant attitude towards other religions in Kazakhstan. He said that Kazakhstan was the only country with major Muslim population, where Jewish people can wear their religious attributes, build synagogues and confess their religion. There are no signs of religious descrimination, all nations and religions are equal, their rights are respected and protected in Kazakhstan. Touching upon the Jackson-Vanik amendment, Yeshaya E. Cohen said that Jewish community of Kazakhstan regrets about the amendment effect action in respect of our country. ?When we were bad, we seeked help everywhere and the United States helped us. Today, when we have found home in Kazakhstan, we appeal our American partners and the new administration to recall the amendment with regards to Kazakhstan?, the Chief Rabbi said. During his visit the Chief Rabbi held the first talks with religious leaders within the project of establishing partnership between religious institutions of Kazakhstan and the United States initiated by Kazakhstan Embassy in the USA.