On September 10, a landmark meeting took place in the Governor's Palace of the Kazan Kremlin, marking the strengthening of international cooperation. A representative delegation from Qatar arrived in the capital of Tatarstan on an official visit. The purpose of the visit was to study in detail the prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation in the scientific, educational, and cultural spheres between Qatar and Tatarstan.
The Qatari delegation included: Saleh Ali Al Akhn Al Marri, Director of the Sheikh Abdulla bin Zaid Islamic Cultural Center; Associate Professor at Qatar University Dr. Yahya Hamad Al- Nuaimi; Sharia expert at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Sheikh Muhammad bin Mahmoud Al Mahmoud; Chairman of the Institute of D'awah and Islamic Sciences Mr. Nawaf Fahad Al- Otaibi; and Head of the Islamic Culture Department at the Sheikh Abdulla bin Zaid Center Dr. Ahmed Abdul Rahim Al Tahan and the Advisor to the Embassy of Qatar in Moscow, Mr. Braijeh Morsi.
From the Tatarstan side, the meeting was attended by the assistant of the Rais of the Republic, Deputy Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World” Marat Gatin and the rector of the Bolgar Islamic Academy Farkhat Khusnutdinov.
Gatin warmly welcomed the distinguished guests and expressed special gratitude to the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Ghanem bin Shaheen bin Ghanem Al Ghanim for sending a representative delegation to Kazan in accordance with previously reached agreements. Negotiations with the Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov became the basis for this visit.
The Deputy Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World” (the Group, GSV) also told the guests about the activities of the organization, which was established in 2006 on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin to strengthen ties with the countries of the Islamic world through public diplomacy.
The group is headed by the Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, and it includes 33 authoritative representatives from 25 Islamic states, as well as Russian representatives of government bodies and public organizations. Annual meetings of the group are traditionally held in May as part of the International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World".
"This year we launched a new track of project activities and are now collecting proposals and ideas in the format of projects from all members of the Group," said Gatin. He explained that these proposals will form the basis of the action plan for next year.
“We are also interested in strengthening friendly ties with the State of Qatar and starting practical interactions to determine what we can do that is useful for bilateral relations,” Gatin emphasized, expressing hope for cooperation and support.
He added that friendly relations between Tatarstan and Qatar had already been going on for 10 years: in December 2015, Rustam Minnikhanov paid an official visit to Qatar.
The Director of the Sheikh Abdulla bin Zaid Islamic Cultural Center, Saleh Ali Al Akhn Al Marri, on behalf of the entire delegation, expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and rich program, and conveyed words of greeting from Minister Al Ghanim.
"At his personal order, our delegation first visited the (Bolgar Islamic – editor's note) Academy. We learned about the history of Tatarstan and learned that this land was rich in scientists and scientific discoveries. It is not surprising that the Bolgar Academy continues to follow this path," Al Marri said.
He confirmed the long-term nature of relations between Tatarstan and Qatar, within the framework of which many projects are already being implemented, including a student exchange program and Quran recitation competitions.
"In addition to official contacts, Russia is becoming increasingly popular among Qataris. Interest in your country in recent years has significantly contributed to the development of tourism," Al Marri shared. The guest also said that the delegation visited the Muftiate of Tatarstan, where they met with Kamil hazrat Samigullin, and also visited the Muhammadiyah madrasah and the Marjani Mosque.
"We pay great attention to strengthening the ties between the Bolgar Islamic Academy and foreign partners, and we are now taking the first steps in this direction", Gatin said.
He expressed hope that already in May 2026, within the framework of the XVII International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum", it will be possible to declare Qatar a strategic partner of the Group. Gatin also recalled that Kazan was chosen as the cultural capital of the Islamic world in 2026, and noted that the relevant events will be held not only in Tatarstan, but also in other regions of Russia. In addition, there is an initiative from Arab partners to hold Kazan Days in Islamic countries.
“Therefore, it is possible that we will meet in Doha,” Gatin suggested with a smile.
Gatin said that the visit of the Qatari delegation will continue on September 11: the guests will visit the Russian Islamic Institute and one of the best rehabilitation centers in Russia.
"We will definitely report to the Government of the Republic about your visit. Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov pays special attention to the development of relations with the Islamic world in general and Qatar in particular," Gatin noted. He added that elections for the Rais of the Republic will be held in Tatarstan next Sunday.
At the end of the meeting, Gatin presented the delegation members with gifts – books about the Group’s activities, containing speeches by its members. The participants of the meeting exchanged warm wishes and agreed on further cooperation.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"