In early December, a Russian delegation visited the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, whose visit was organized within the framework of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” (GSV) activity plan for 2025. The delegation was led by Evgeny Eremin, Head of the Department for Interaction with Religious Organizations of the Presidential Executive Office for Domestic Policy and Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for the Support of Islamic Culture, Science, and Education.
The working visit was an important step in strengthening dialogue between Russian Muslim organizations and the leading international Islamic structure, where the Group of Strategic Vision acted as a key organizing and coordinating force, and the personal participation of Marat Gatin, Assistant to the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan and Deputy Chairman of the Group, gave the meetings additional weight and a high level of representation.
During a meeting with OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha, Head of the OIC Youth and Sports Department Maiga Boubakari, and Director of the Information Department Abdelhamid Salhi, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation between the Russian Muslim community and the OIC in socially significant areas. Particular attention was paid to strengthening intercultural dialogue and humanitarian cooperation, which was emphasized by the participation in the Russian delegation of Mikhail Gryaznov, Head of the Department for Interaction with Religious Organizations of the Presidential Executive Office for Domestic Policy; Yusup Abakarov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Jeddah; and Asker Tapov, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the OIC.
OIC Director General for Political Affairs, Mohammed Tekaya, noted the importance of Russia's partnership with OIC countries in general and in these areas in particular. Marat Gatin provided a detailed account of the Group's activities, history, and projects, emphasizing its role as a permanent platform for building long-term cooperation. Since 2014, the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” has been headed by Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of Tatarstan. Thanks to his efforts, the Group's contribution to rapprochement with the Islamic world has significantly increased, and a wide range of practical projects are being implemented in Muslim countries.
A key part of the program was a separate working meeting dedicated to cooperation with the Union of News Agencies (UNA) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It was attended by Timur Suleimanov, Assistant to the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan; Aidar Salimgaraev, Head of the Tatmedia agency; Anna Belikova, Advisor to the Group of Strategic Vision and Head of Protocol at Russia Today; and Anastasia Bychkova, Project Manager of the International Cooperation Directorate at the Russia Today Media Group.
At the roundtable, the parties summarized the results of their information cooperation. Evgeny Eremin emphasized the special role of the Republic of Tatarstan as one of the most spiritually, informationally, and economically developed regions of Russia, whose experience often forms the basis of projects promoted by the Group of Strategic Vision.
A concrete and significant outcome of this meeting was the decision to revive the media forum of journalists and bloggers from Islamic countries. This forum, one of the flagship projects of the Group of Strategic Vision, has been held since 2015 with its support. In 2021, it was included in the program of the International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum" with the support of Tatmedia, and in 2023, it was supported by the UNA OIC, demonstrating the growing authority of the initiatives overseen by the Group.
Another significant event of the visit was a meeting with Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director of the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI). Evgeny Eremin presented the Foundation's work in supporting religious associations in Russia, and Marat Gatin once again detailed the activities of the Group of Strategic Vision. During the consultations, the parties discussed potential areas of partnership and agreed to continue the dialogue to develop joint projects, thereby opening a new direction for the Group's practical work.
Following the visit, specific agreements were reached, laying out a roadmap for cooperation. Timur Suleimanov and Maiga Boubakari discussed youth exchange programs, holding international children's camps, and developed a plan to prepare for the 2027 Islamic Youth Games in Kazan. Aidar Salimgarayev and Abdelhamid Salhi agreed on initiatives such as holding master classes for journalists from Islamic countries in Russia, student exchange programs, and launching joint media projects.
The agreements clearly demonstrate how the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” ensures the transition from a general dialogue to specific projects in the fields of culture, science, education, and youth policy, strengthening the multifaceted interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"