OSCE supports reconciliation in southern Kyrgyzstan during month of Ramadan

OSH, Kyrgyzstan, 25 August 2011 – An Iftar - the evening meal breaking the daily fast during the month of Ramadan - with local and regional state officials, members of different religious communities, police authorities and representatives of ethnic communities in Osh was held today by the OSCE Field Office in Osh in partnership with Kyrgyzstan’s State Commission for Religious Affairs.

Hugo Karlsson, the Head of the Osh Field Office, said: “This special evening meal provides an opportunity for building closer ties across ethnic and religious boundaries through joint prayer and discussions about relevant issues of tolerance, inter-ethnic co-existence, drawing on religion and faith as shared values.”

Ormon Sharshenov, the Director of the State Commission for Religious Affairs, said: “Iftar is an important element in peace-building. During the Iftar people of various ethnicities and religions have an opportunity to discuss issues vital to their communities. Today, with OSCE support, in the course of the meal we will enhance confidence in the stability and welfare in our region.”

The Iftar meal was supported as part of an OSCE-funded project on “enhancing dialogue by promoting freedom of religion as a basic human right”.