In his address during the Russia - Islamic World group meeting in Grozny, Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized that "it is Muslims that suffer most from terrorist activities and so it has to be Muslims who should bring forward initiatives on how to curb this evil".
Distinguished members of the Russia – Islamic World strategic vision group,
Guests,
Colleagues,
I am happy to welcome you at the Group’s annual summit. My special welcome goes to my colleagues from Russian regions with a predominantly Muslim population.
After the re-launch, the Group has significantly stepped up its efforts to bring our country and the Islamic World closer based on an approach defined by shared culture and civilization as well as to work together to identify ways to resolve existing crises and conflicts.
The Group has grown bigger, with some new faces joining it. Last year, we welcomed Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Malaysia.
We have maintained active contacts with such influential Muslim organizations as the OIC, ISESCO, IRSICA, the Islamic Development Bank, the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs (ICECS), and others. We are looking for deeper cooperation with these institutions.
As part of the drive to expand economic cooperation, the Group members signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic Development Bank and a number of Russian financial institutions during the summit in Kazan in May 2016.
In 2015, the Group held an international forum of Muslim religious leaders in Moscow. The event focused on the origins behind the outburst of radicalism and the need to establish an ideological framework to counter extremism. The conference adopted a declaration of the Islamic Religion Against Extremism that was circulated among a number of Muslim countries.
We also held three international meetings of Journalists From Muslim Countries Against Extremism. The latest session took place in Moscow less than a month ago. The participants adopted a statement calling on the UN Secretary General to draft measures to ban extremism websites. Journalists reiterated the need to fight terrorism on the information front.
It is also important that we have submitted documents to the UN to obtain consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It will empower us to speak at the international level and share experience and ideas with colleagues from around the world.
The Group has published a series of books in the Russian and Arabic languages, more are on the way. There is a website in three languages (Russian, English and Arabic). We are filming documentaries on outstanding political and public figures of the Middle East. All these steps will definitely bring us closer and help us better understand each other.
This meeting of the Russia – Islamic World strategic vision group takes place in the hospitable Chechen Republic led by Ramzan Kadyrov. I find it deeply symbolic. As you know, the Chechen Republic was a victim of the terrorists’ atrocities. This makes its successes even more impressive. We have come together in the capital of Chechnya, the city of Grozny, a beautiful, modern and fast-developing place that appeals to Chechens as well as Russian and foreign visitors alike.
It is extremely difficult to achieve such results on your own – without relying on support from friends and brothers. The whole country helped to restore the Chechen Republic.
The same is true for Tatarstan, a region whose growth was driven by mutual influence and mutual penetration of cultures and our people’s desire to live and work. Russian statehood relies on the accord between different ethnic groups and religions. It is our unique ability that we nurture and develop. It is our advantage and key to resolving many issues that your countries are facing, too.
Terrorism and radicalism is a threat to Muslim countries and, more broadly, to entire mankind.
We are prepared to share our expertise because we are convinced that only concerted action can produce solutions to modern challenges. As the Russian president said in his welcoming address, we will continue to move closer towards Muslim countries because we feel ourselves part of the Islamic world.
It is Muslims that suffer most from terrorist activities and so it has to be Muslims who should bring forward initiatives on how to curb this evil. This is an area where the multi-faceted efforts of the Russia – Islamic World strategic vision group can yield tangible results, given its multiple resources and platforms.
Win-win economic cooperation between our countries is critical to achieving these objectives. This is why our agenda today will focus on improving economic ties. Many of you will later take part in the KazanSummit forum in Tatarstan which will address these issues in greater detail.
I will all the participants productive deliberations and most pleasant impressions from your stay in this country.
Rustam Minnikhanov
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"