The landmark visit of a delegation from one of the oldest and most influential Islamic universities in the world – Al-Azhar University (Egypt) – to Kazan marked the entry of Russian-Egyptian humanitarian and scientific cooperation to a qualitatively new level. The delegation was headed by the rector of the university, Sheikh Salama Dawood.
The program of the visit was extremely intensive and covered the leading Islamic institutions of the Republic of Tatarstan. The guests got acquainted with the activities of the Russian Islamic Institute (RII), showing particular interest in the Russian Center for Islamic Economics and Finance, where more than 20 Sharia financial products for Russian banks have been developed, as well as in the largest collection of Arabic-language literature in Russia in the RII library.
A visit to the «Yardam-Pomosh» charity foundation showed the social component of the Muslim community's work. The guests highly praised the inclusive projects, including the «Dan» sports complex and the Braille printing house. The rector of Al-Azhar announced his intention to develop special educational programs for people with disabilities, inspired by the foundation's experience.
The most detailed and substantive negotiations on future cooperation took place at the Bolgar Islamic Academy (BIA, Academy). The parties discussed specific steps, including joint scientific supervision of dissertations with two scientific supervisors – from Al-Azhar and BIA, organizing opposition at the defense of doctoral students of the Academy, student and professor exchange, publication of scientific works of Russian master's and doctoral students in Al-Azhar journals, creation of workshops on academic Arabic language and allocation of Al-Azhar scholarships for the best students from Russia.
Mikhail Gryaznov, Director of the Islamic Culture, Science and Education Foundation, who took an active part in the work of the delegation, spoke in detail about the activities of the Foundation. Mikhail Alexandrovich presented to the delegation the results of the work of the Islamic Culture, Science and Education Foundation in the implementation of plans and projects through both the Bulgarian Islamic Academy and the Russian Islamic Institute.
The highest point of the visit, emphasizing its national importance, was the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Academy and Al-Azhar University. The ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Valery Falkov and the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia - Islamic World" Rustam Minnikhanov. This document enshrines at a high level the intentions of the parties to develop a comprehensive partnership in the educational and scientific spheres.
The delegation also personally visited the Academy’s campus in the ancient city of Bolgar, where they gave an exceptionally high assessment of both the institution’s material and technical base and the level of teaching and research of its students and postgraduates.
It is important to emphasize that the organization of this representative visit became possible thanks to the personal invitation of the assistant to the Rais of Tatarstan, Deputy Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World” Marat Gatin. This shows that the development of Islamic education in Russia and strengthening ties with the Islamic world is an important part of the country's foreign policy and humanitarian strategy.
The outcome of the visit was an agreement to establish a joint working group for the practical implementation of all agreements reached, which testifies to the long-term and strategic nature of the partnership between the leading Islamic centers of Russia and Egypt.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: BIA press service, Yardam Charitable Foundation, RII press service