Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov took part in a ceremony in Moscow presenting the upcoming year of “Kazan – Cultural Capital of the Islamic World.” Among the honored guests was Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova.
The event was held at the historic Reception House of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bringing together ambassadors from Islamic countries, representatives of Russian federal ministries, and officials from international organizations.
At the 13th Conference of Ministers of Culture of Islamic Countries, held this February in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Kazan was officially granted the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2026.
Earlier this year, during the KazanForum, Russia hosted the first‑ever meeting of ministers of culture from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Later, in September, the inaugural session of the Organizing Committee for the “Kazan — Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2026” program took place as part of the 11th St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum.
In his address, Minnikhanov first expressed deep gratitude to ICESCO and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for conferring this prestigious title on Kazan.
He also extended words of appreciation to Russia’s national leadership: “We are sincerely grateful for the steadfast support shown by President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, as well as the teams of the Foreign and Culture Ministries — and personally, Sergey Lavrov and Olga Lyubimova. My thanks also go to the ambassadors present here today and to all our Russian and international colleagues working to strengthen friendship and mutual understanding between the Russian Federation and the Islamic world,” he said.
Minnikhanov emphasized that Russia continues to build strong, comprehensive relations with Muslim nations and enjoys broad recognition and respect in the Islamic world. “As part of a multinational Russia, Tatarstan takes pride in contributing to the harmonious development of these ties. More than 20 million Muslims live in Russia today, over two million of them in our republic. This makes Tatarstan and its thousand‑year‑old capital an important center for preserving and promoting Islamic culture,” he noted.
He added that Kazan’s designation as the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World opens new opportunities for international cooperation, cultural exchange and dialogue between civilizations.
Among the major events planned for 2026 are a meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia–Islamic World”, the Forum of Ministers of Culture of OIC Member States, a Modesty and Ethnic Fashion Festival, a Festival of Cultures, the Kazan International Muslim Film Festival, and a range of international youth events.
“I am confident that the activities of the year ‘Kazan – Cultural Capital of the Islamic World’ will become a significant platform for strengthening the multifaceted dialogue between Russia and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,” Minnikhanov concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Based on materials from TASS