For the first time in the history of the OIC Youth Capital program, the title was awarded to the city of the country-observer to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. According to Timur Suleimanov, Minister of Youth Affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan, this is an unprecedented event.
‘Why was Kazan chosen this year? It is no secret that this is a city which is now widely known far beyond Russia. The Republic of Tatarstan and Kazan have their own mission connected with communication with the Islamic world, which is entrusted to our President Rustam Minnikhanov, who has been successfully heading the Strategic Vision Group ‘Russia – Islamic World’. It is noteworthy that only OIC member countries used to take part in the competition. The fact that Russia participated and Kazan became the youth capital of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in 2022 is an unprecedented decision. It is symbolic that this year we are also celebrating the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria,’ Timur Suleimanov told during the briefing held today in Kazan.
What is the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum like?
According to Taha Ayhan, President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum, the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum is a dynamic international body that unites youth organizations of all the OIC member states, as well as international youth organizations of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation region and those representing significant Muslim communities worldwide.
‘It is the leading association of youth organizations in the OIC region. Our Youth Forum seeks to draw attention to youth issues, positive actions and sound policies, thereby contributing to improving the situation of young people and promoting dialogue and development comprehensively. Particularly active is the work being done in the area of youth policy, addressing key issues and problems and expanding rights and opportunities for young people. This direction is especially relevant today, as 42% of population of the world is under 25, and ¼ of this number lives in the OIC member states. In this regard, I would like to reiterate that it is in our hands today to effectively harness this potential of human capital for a better future,’ Ayhan said.
‘The ‘OIC Youth Capital’ program is 6 years old’
What is the ‘OIC Youth Capital’ program like and why is it so relevant and in demand today? According to Taha Ayhan, it is entirely an initiative of the youth forum for young people in the region where the Organization of Islamic Cooperation works.
‘We invest in young people. Our agenda is to address the problems and challenges of young people, especially with regard to education, increasing employment, entrepreneurship, health and full participation in life and society. The ‘OIC Youth Capital’ program itself is designed for one year and aims at developing cooperation between the member states in the field of youth policy, consolidation of youth cooperation, unity and solidarity while promoting cultural diversity. The program also has certain objectives: to create a vibrant learning environment for young people, which provides a venue to promote their culture and traditions and encourage their civic attitudes. Yes, we have different cultures, but we share key values,’ the President of the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) explained.
The OIC Youth Capital is based on series of events in the field of culture, science, education, innovations and youth capacity-building. But, according to Taha Ayhan, the achievements and aspirations of Muslim youth should be celebrated throughout a year, not just accumulated within the framework of specific events.
It is worth noting that this program has been running for six years and has been successfully implemented in the Arab, African and Asian regions of the OIC countries. During this time, Istanbul (Turkey), Shiraz (Iran), Putrajaya (Malaysia), Fez (Morocco), Doha (Qatar) and Dhaka (Bangladesh). For instance, Istanbul hosted the 2016 Young Leaders’ Summit of the OIC countries and organized a forum of the first start-ups. Shiraz hosted the International Forum of Future Muslim Thinkers, which is now one of the main initiatives of the OIC Youth Forum. For Iran, the event was a great celebration of Islamic culture and traditions.
‘In Doha, which became the capital of the program in 2019, over 9 000 people participated in the events, developing talents and skills and enhancing competencies in innovation and real-world production. I can say with confidence that during this time we have not only achieved all of our goals, but even in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have managed to create a new and more effective virtual platform, which is a universal venue for cooperation and uniting young people from all regions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. For Kazan, participation in such a program is not only an opportunity to present itself and establish close contacts, but also to develop its own potential, create networks for cultural learning and sharing experiences and knowledge, as well as to learn from well-known international coaches and experts. This is an additional international cultural value and opportunities to develop partnerships with international institutions and organizations,’ Taha Ayhan concluded.
What is in store for Kazan in 2022 as the OIC youth capital?
According to Timur Suleimanov, the main areas of interaction within the program ‘OIC Youth Capital – Kazan 2022’ are science, culture, sport, entrepreneurship, IT and volunteering. It is expected that more than 2 000 people will participate in offline events; while another 500 000 people will be engaged in the project throughout the entire year. The geographical coverage is also rather broad, with more than 60 countries, 56 from which are the OIC member states, as well as observer countries to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and European and American states.
‘Our main task is to demonstrate the values of Islam as a religion of peace, while our interest is to make the set of events become a factor in uniting the world around humanitarian values that bring young people together,’ Suleimanov explained.
During the briefing, the logo of Kazan as the OIC Youth Capital has already been unveiled. It includes recognizable symbols of Kazan (the Suyumbike Tower and the Kazan Family Centre), the crescent moon, and traditional Tatar national ornaments (tulip). It’s noteworthy that bright youth colors have been chosen for the logo. And the man on the skateboard symbolizes the youth drive inherent in Kazan and Tatarstan.
The inauguration ceremony will be held on 15 March at the Foreign Ministry’s Cultural Centre. Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, is expected to attend the ceremony, and the guests of honor will include ambassadors of the OIC member states, partners and colleagues and members of the Strategic Vision Group ‘Russia – Islamic World’. That is when the program ‘Kazan – the OIC Youth Capital’ will be officially launched, and the Minister of Youth Affairs of Bangladesh will hand over a key as the symbol of the event. In addition to the presentation of the Kazan program itself, there will also be an introduction to the events that will be organized to mark the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam.
‘It is also planned to present the Kazan action plan, which is aimed at consolidation of long-term cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world. This program also suggests regular exchange internships with those countries where youth policy is being implemented, and the organization of international youth shifts both in the Russian Federation and in the OIC countries,’ Suleimanov Explained.
On the eve of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Holy Quran recitation competition will be held on 27-30 March. There will be two categories in total, and the winner in each will receive a 10 000 dollars’ prize from the President of the Republic of Tatarstan. And in May the Kazan Global Youth Summit will be held, which will be attended by 200 delegates from 56 countries. As part of the Summit it is planned to discuss the issues of intercultural dialogue, what strong points the Republic of Tatarstan have and why it is attractive to its colleagues.
‘At the Global Youth Summit in Kazan we will develop a long-term program for cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in terms of youth policy. We hope that this summit will gain its permanent residence in Kazan. In June, the Russian-Balkan Forum will be held, and at the end of August – the Race for the Cup of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan’,’ Timur Suleimanov shared the plans.
In September, Kazan will host the International Youth Forum ‘Russia – OIC’, which will become something of a project laboratory. The International Youth Festival of Modern Muslim Art will be held on 15-20 October, reflecting the youth’s take on the contemporary culture of Muslim peoples. Another important event as part of the ‘OIC Youth Capital’ program will be the International Youth Scientific Congress of the OIC countries.
The closing and presentation ceremony of the International OIC Leaders Award is scheduled for 15-16 December and symbolizes the summing up of the year, rewarding leaders, activists, partners and organizers.
Ilmira Gafiyatullina