For the third time, Kazan is hosting a two-day International Research-to-Practice Conference ‘Theology of Conventional Religions in the Scientific-Educational Space of Modern Russia’. The main organizer of the conference is the Association of Educational Organizations ‘Scientific and Educational Theological Association’. The conference is organized by the Russian Islamic Institute; co-organizers are the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Kazan Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Kazan Orthodox Theological Seminary, with the assistance of the Foundation for the Support of Islamic Culture, Science and Education.
Religious education and prevention of extremism
Holding theological conferences has become a good tradition in Kazan. It was said in the welcoming speech by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, President of the Scientific and Educational Theological Association. His address to the participants of the international symposium was read out by Dmitry Shmonin, Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Scientific and Educational Theological Association.
‘Tatarstan is the most important region of the country in terms of economic and cultural potential. Kazan is a sacred place for all the conventional traditions in Russia. Here, in the republic, representatives of different cultures and religions have lived peacefully for centuries, showing an example of effective implementation of spiritual values’, the Metropolitan says in his address.
In his welcoming address to the participants of the conference he also spoke about the importance of developing interreligious cooperation in the scientific and educational environment. ‘Religious enlightenment plays an important role in prevention of extremism, moral education of the younger generation and affirmation in society of the traditional moral values of the peoples in our country’, Dmitry Shmonin read out.
According to Galina Teplykh, Executive Director of the Scientific and Educational Theological Association, the association unites 70 leading Russian universities and spiritual schools, including the Russian Islamic Institute in Kazan. ‘Every year the forum becomes brighter, stronger and more interesting. We are trying to come up with new formats and to put more important and topical issues on the agenda. It is necessary to realize that theology as a scientific branch of knowledge is young and is actively developing. This is why new challenges are coming to the foreground that include research, methodological and other ones. As far as global challenges are concerned, the very theme of the conference has already indicated them – interethnic, interreligious, intercultural dialogues, bridging of contradictions, approach to a common understanding of theology as a science. Theology has now been returned to secular educational space, but requires certain trial, since the science, I repeat, is new’, Teplykh highlighted.
‘Russia is a big house for numerous peoples and religious groups’
Representatives of Russia’s conventional religions also take an active part in theological conferences. Thus, in his greeting, Mufti of the Republic of Tatarstan Kamil Samigullin noted that domestic Islamic theology should be based primarily on its own theological heritage and tradition, which have existed for 11 centuries in Russia: ‘Our ancestors left us priceless spiritual reserves and our task is to study and master them, to promote and cultivate interest towards them among the young’, the Mufti is convinced.
The Tatarstan Mufti also reminded the conference participants that next year the Russian public would celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria. ‘This remarkable date serves as a proof that Islam is a peaceful religion, which is practiced by the indigenous peoples of our multinational Motherland. Thus, it is impossible to understand the essence of the Russian multi-confessional society without taking into account its Islamic component’, Kamil Hazrat stressed. According to the Head of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan, the centuries-old history of Islam in Russia has generated a unique phenomenon on a global scale – mentality of Russian Muslims. ‘Being at the junction of cultures and civilizations, rich spiritual heritage and active participation in the development of Russia’s economy create prerequisites for Muslims in our country to become one of the advanced communities in the world modern Islamic civilization. And the Tatar Ummah has historically been one of the most progressive Muslim peoples, which has made an invaluable contribution to the development of common Muslim culture’, Kamil Samigullin is convinced.
In his speech, the Mufti also drew attention of the audience to the fact that civic identity and national consciousness are two inseparable concepts. ‘Nobody should have any doubts that Russia is a big house for numerous peoples and religious groups that have always been defending their country together, building Russian statehood and developing its powerful economic space. Mutual understanding between peoples is a foundation, which Russia’s well-being is based on. This needs to be explained not only at religious but also at secular educational institutions, since it is extremely important to develop this worldview in everyone, regardless of their national and confessional identity’, the Mufti concluded.
Father Vladimir, Rector of the Kazan Spiritual Seminary, who voiced a greeting from Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan, Head of the Metropolis of Tatarstan, agreed with the Mufti’s words. ‘In recent years, there have been a number of events on the part of the state and the civil society to develop theology as a science and theological education. Today, in the context of difficult geopolitical situation, the creation of quality and modern system of theological education in Russia is of particular significance. Theology is called to carry out world outlook and educational function, to promote comprehension and preservation of religious and moral values of the peoples in Russia’, the Metropolitan’s greeting says.
‘We understand the value of good neighborliness, peace and harmony between representatives of different peoples and religions. For centuries, these principles have served as one of the fundamentals of the Russian statehood, helping our ancestors to develop the country together and drive the economy, science and culture forward. I am convinced that these initiatives serve to consolidate our society and promote an open and fruitful experience exchange’, Father Vladimir concluded.
‘Russia ranks high in the hearts of Muslims all over the world’
Among the guests of honor at the plenary session of the conference on theology there was Khalid Al-Yabhouni, Doctor of Arab and Islamic Studies and Rector of the Mohammed Bin Zayed University for the Humanities (UAE). According to him, a dialogue about different opinions, different confessions, and interreligious dialogue is not alien to Arab countries. ‘Since ancient times, since the day when Islam began to spread in the Arabian Peninsula, we have seen how local residents have influenced other cultures’, a guest from the Emirates noted. In his opinion, the example of the UAE in this matter is indicative: the country is home to representatives of more than 200 different nationalities and all confessions are represented. ‘Thus, the society of the Emirates has become aware that intercultural and interreligious dialogue is the key to peaceful existence’, Al-Yabhouni added.
To prove his words, he spoke about the New Alliance of Virtue signed in 2019. More than 100 of political, cultural, scientific and religious representatives signed the document. Interestingly, that one of the clauses says that people, despite different languages, religions, complexion and race, are united by the fact that they were created by the Almighty.
‘Separately, I would like to mention the example of Russia as a multi-confessional state, where the cultures represented have lived in peace and harmony throughout the country’s history. This is why it is not surprising that Russia ranks high at the hearts of Muslims all over the world’, a guest from the UAE highlighted. Khalid Al-Yabhouni also added that each religion called for mercy, peace and security. Thus, the fact that Islam recognizes this diversity is a respect for all. ‘This diversity, which we are witnessing, is a strong impetus to development, spread of goodness and activation of civil society’, an expert from the United Arab Emirates concluded.
In his turn, Aleksey Petrov, Counselor on Implementation of Charitable Programs of the Foundation for Support of Islamic Culture, Science and Education, reminded that for the second year in a row, the Foundation together with the Russian Islamic Institute, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Scientific and Educational Theological Association have implemented a symposium within the framework of theological education support. ‘To date, we have already had a third direction in theology – Jewish one. That is to say, all three conventional confessions are now represented in the same vein. We can see how actively theology is developing in contemporary realities and keeping up with the time. There is already a new educational theological standard. Special attention to theological education is also paid by religious organizations, expressing their interest in the educational process itself’, Petrov noted.
There was also mention of the presentation of the textbook ‘Civic Identity of Muslims in Russia’, which is now under public discussion, so that it can be understood to what extent this work contains all the necessary information.