About the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world"
The Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world" was created in 2006 under the leadership of Evgeny Maksimovich Primakov and Mintimer Sharipovich Shaimiev after the Russian Federation joined the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as the observer.
The Group held meetings in Moscow, Kazan, Istanbul, Jeddah, Kuwait. With the welcome message the Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin addressed each meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision.
The Group consists of 34 famous statesmen and public figures from 28 foreign states, including the former prime ministers, the former Ministers of Foreign Affairs, a number of the largest theologians of the Islamic East from Indonesia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, and many others.
In the conditions of trust and frankness the most acute crucial issues of the international relations, situations in the Middle East and, naturally, a complex of the relations between Russia and the states of the Islamic East were discussed at the meetings.
Activity of the Group received a wide positive resonance in many Muslim countries.
At the meeting in Kuwait in December, 2009 the decision on creation of the Secretariat of the Group in Moscow, which did not manage to be executed because of the events connected with "Arab spring" though the Secretariat was registered as the legal entity under the name of "Strategic Partnership with the Islamic World" was made.
In 2014 Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin made the decision on renewal of activity of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world", having assigned the duties of its chairman to the President of Tatarstan Rustam Nurgaliyevich Minnikhanov, and Evgeny Maksimovich Primakov remained its Honorary Chairman up to his death.
On June 11-12, 2015 in Moscow the meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world" in took place the updated format.
The meeting was held by the chairman of the group, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, the secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Iyad Madani, the state and religious figures, diplomats, scientists from Russia and a number of the Islamic countries participated in a meeting.
In 2016, from May 25 to May 28, the Group held a meeting in Kazan. Together with the Russian experts the state and public figures from 30 countries of the Middle East participated in it.
Years 2015-2016 were marked by important events for the Group of strategic vision "Russia - Islamic world".
On October 5-6, 2015 in Moscow in “Volynskoe” Congress Park the international forum of Muslim religious figures took place. It brought together not only Russian ulema representatives, but the ones of a number of the leading Muslim states.
On December 8-9, 2015 there took place the first international journalistic forum "Journalists of the Muslim Countries against Extremism", and the second international journalistic forum "Journalists of the Muslim Countries against Extremism" took place on April 20-21, 2016.
Also within activity of the Group several editions were released and presented. It is a book by the famous Lebanese public figure, a member of the group Wassim Kaladzhiya "the Eurasian Russia: time of the President Putin", collection of literary works of Evgeny Primakov, a book by the mufti of North Ossetia, a member of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia-Islamic world", Hadzhimurat Gatsalov "Russia and Islam: at the tip of the spear", a book by the former secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the deputy of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu "Islamophobia: from confrontation to cooperation: forthcoming tasks".
On April 27, 2017 the Group of Strategic vision "Russia - Islamic world" held the third international forum "Journalists of the Muslim Countries against Extremism" which took place in Moscow at “President-Hotel”.
On May 16 — 18, 2017 in the Chechen Republic the III annual meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world" took place, 34 foreign delegates and 23 representatives of the Russian Federation took part in it.
The President of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Chairman of Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world" Rustam Minnikhanov, the Governor of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, the Coordinator of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world" Veniamin Popov, the Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksenov and the Head of the Republic of Dagestan Ramazan Abulatipov participated in the opening ceremony of the meeting. A telegram of the head of the State Vladimir Putin was read by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the special representative of the President of Russia on the Middle East Mikhail Bogdanov.
On August 17-19, 2017 in Bishkek the meeting of the international forum of writers and intellectuals "Aytmatovsky readings: dialogue of cultures" organized by the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world" took place under the chairmanship of the President of Tatarstan Rustam Nurgaliyevich Minnikhanov.
International forum of writers and intellectuals "Aytmatovsky readings: dialogue of cultures" brought together on the famous cultural figures, writers and philosophers from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Egypt, China, Oman, Syria, Libya, Palestine, Jordan and Morocco. The forum is held within implementation of the reached agreements between presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic Almazbek Atambayev and the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.
Coordinators of the Group Veniamin Popov, the member of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world", the correspondent of RAS, the academician, the Research supervisor of Institute of oriental studies of RAS Vitaly Naumkin, the Special envoy the MFA of Russia, the member of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world" Konstantin Shuvalov, professor, the Director of Institute of the international researches of IIS of MGIMO MFA of Russia Alexander Orlov, professor of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, the leading researcher of the Center of the Arab and Islamic researches of OI of RAS Alexander Yakovlev and many others took part in presentation of a book of Alexey Sarabyev "Christians of the Middle East. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow?", which was carried out by the Group of strategic vision "Russia - Islamic world" on September, 14 in the Russian Council for the International affairs.
Presentation of a book "Christians of the Middle East. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow?". Photo report
In January, 2018, in the Russian Council for the International Affairs, the Group of strategic vision "Russia - Islamic world" held a presentation of a book "Nasser's Pyramid. President and his time"of the famous Russian diplomat and orientalist Andrey Glebovich Baklanov.
The publication of the book and its presentation are coincided with the 100th anniversary of one of the best-known and bright Arab political figures of the middle of the XX century — the president of Egypt Gamal Abdel Nasser.
To watch the photoblog: Presentation of the book of Andrey Baklanov "Nasser's Pyramid. President and his time" ≥≥≥
On March 23-24, 2018 in Istanbul the international round table "Cultural interaction — Chinghiz Aitmatov's heritage" took place. The organizers of a meeting were the Group of strategic vision “Russia - Islamic world" with assistance of the International center for studying of Islamic history, art and culture (IRCICA) and the Writers' Union of Turkey. This event became a part of the festive activities coincided with the 90 anniversary of the outstanding writer of the present.
The international round table "Cultural interaction — Chinghiz Aitmatov's heritage". Photo report ≥≥≥
On April 23-24 in Yalta IV international media forum "Journalists of the Muslim Countries for Partnership of Civilizations" took place. More than 60 journalists from Russia, Albania, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, the UAE, Jordan, Morocco participated in a meeting.
IV international media forum "Journalists of the Muslim Countries for Partnership of Civilizations". Photo report ≥≥≥
At a resent stage the emphasis in work of the Group was made on development of actions for further strengthening of long-term cooperation of Russia and the Islamic states, on coordination of joint efforts on fight against the international terrorism, on implementation of strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the Muslim world.
For this purpose, steps on more intensive translation of books from Russian into Arab, Farsi, Turkish and other languages and relatively the translation of printing editions of various Muslim countries into Russian were discussed.
On November 12, 2018 in Makhachkala under the chairmanship of Rustam Nurgaliyevich Minnikhanov the IV meeting of the Group of strategic vision "Russia - Islamic world", devoted to counteraction to extremism by means of education of youth took place.
On November 28-30, 2019, Ufa hosted the V annual meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision (GSV, Group) "Russia-Islamic world" dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The topic of the meeting was "Interfaith harmony: the experience of Russia and member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)".
On November 24-25, 2021, the VI meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World” was held in Jeddah under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The key theme of the event was dialogue and prospects for cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world. During the plenary session, representatives of the Muslim world, spiritual leaders, scientists, Islamic scholars, government officials from Russia and the OIC countries discussed new opportunities for interaction between the Russian Federation and Muslim countries, as well as a number of current issues on the international agenda. More than 200 delegates from 18 countries of the Islamic world took part in the meeting.
In 2022, the VII annual meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World” was held in Kazan.
The theme of the event: “"Russian experience in preserving ethnic and cultural diversity and interethnic and interreligious harmony - the key to strengthening the common civic identity".
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, constituent entities of the Russian Federation, representatives of the spiritual administrations of Muslims, the Russian Orthodox Church and foreign guests from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Iraq, Senegal, Syria, Turkey, Tunisia and other countries.
This year, the meeting of the Group was dedicated to the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria; the unique experience of the Russian Federation in preserving ethnocultural diversity, interethnic and interreligious harmony in the country, as a guarantee of achieving a common civic identity was discussed on the meeting.
The President of the Republic of Tatarstan and Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World” Rustam Minnikhanov in his speech stated that the dialogue of cultures, the focus on interethnic harmony is Russia’s civilizational choice: “This is the painstaking work of the state and society. In this context, Tatarstan has been and remains one of the stable regions of Russia. In the republic, interethnic and interfaith harmony have become established as progressive trends. Various peoples have lived here for centuries”.
He also noted that the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” continues to act as a platform for discussions and establishing constructive cooperation between representatives of different nations.
Next year, 2023, Kazan again became the venue for the VIII annual meeting.
At the Group meeting, topical issues related to the state and prospects of interreligious interaction between Russia and the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation were brought up for discussion.
The central topics of the meeting were the protection and promotion of common spiritual and moral values, the preservation of the historical, cultural and civilizational heritage of the nations of Russia and Muslim countries.
Prominent representatives of government bodies, political and public figures from many countries took part in the meeting.
The meeting of the Group was held under the leadership of Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World" Rustam Minnikhanov. From the Russian side at meeting were His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mikhail Bogdanov, Chairman of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims, Supreme Mufti of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia Ravil Gainutdin, heads of Russian regions and other prominent representatives of government, religious, social, scientific and business circles.
The ninth meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” (GSV) was held on May 16, 2024, at the IT Park named after Bashir Rameev in Kazan. The theme “Russia – Islamic World: Fair Multipolar World Order and Safe Development”. On conference was discussed new opportunities for interaction between the Russian Federation and Muslim countries in the context of a rapidly changing political situation in the world, as well as a number of actual topics on the international agenda and new challenges at the international level that require a coordinated and balanced approach when making decisions on the formation of a fair multipolar world order and safe development. The meeting coincided with the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2024” - the primary platform for economic interaction between Russia and Muslim states.
The meeting was attended by the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Chairman of the GSV “Russia - Islamic World” Rustam Minnikhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin, National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Mohamed Salah Tekaya, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutsky, Minister of Government of the Samara Region Dmitry Bogdanov, Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church and Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Presidium for Foreign and Defense Policy of Russia and Director for Scientific Work of the Foundation for Development and Support of the International Discussion Club "Valdai" Fedor Lukyanov, Supreme Mufti and Chairman of the Central Religious Board of Muslims of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin, Head of the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia Ravil Gainutdin , Head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia Albir Krganov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on issues of interaction with public and religious organizations Muzaffar Kamilov, Chairman of the World Council of Muslim Communities (UAE) Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs Ezzat Saad, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Salim bin Muhammad al-Malik, Secretary General of the World Organization for the Rapprochement of Madhhabs (Iran) Hamid Havali Shahriyary, Chief Justice of Palestine Al- Haash Mahmoud Sudqi, Advisor to the Secretary General of the World Islamic League and Representative of the League in Russia Ahmad Faisal Elyssef, Head of the Eurasian Department of the Directorate of Religious Affairs of Türkiye Salih Gör , as well as heads of Russian regions, public and political figures. Heads of foreign diplomatic missions, famous scientists and thinkers from the countries of the Islamic world also took part in the meeting.
In total, the meeting was attended by representatives of 47 countries, as well as such Muslim organizations as the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation), WIL (World Islamic League), LAS (League of Arab States), World Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO), World Council of Muslim Communities.