Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin held a meeting of the Organizing Committee for Preparing and Holding the 1100th Anniversary of the Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria, which took place in an interactive format.
The event was attended by President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, State Councilor Mintimer Shaimiev, Deputy Minister of Culture and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee Nadezhda Prepodobnaya, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Vasil Shaikhraziev and by heads of several Spiritual Administrations of Muslims.
Marat Khusnullin stressed the Russian President’s appreciation of the social and cultural activities of Russian Muslims who have made a significant contribution to preserving cultural diversity of the country, dynamic development of Russia and protection of its national interests.
He reminded that within the framework of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria, a great many important events were held aimed at consolidating inter-cultural and inter-confessional ties, enhancing civil and spiritual unity, as well as preserving the cultural heritage.
The year 2022 has turned out to be a landmark year for Muslims of Tatarstan and entire Russia. The landmark events of this year included the beginning of the construction of significant infrastructure facilities, the publication of works on the national theological heritage, as well as conferences and exhibitions.
For example, the XIII International Economic Summit “Russia – Islamic World: KazanSummit” brought together participants from 64 countries and 59 Russian regions; the Kazan Global Youth Summit, held under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was attended by representatives of 70 countries around the world.
Marat Khusnullin drew attention to the fact that the President would grant the International Economic Summit “Russia – Islamic World: Kazan Summit” the status of a federal venue on the equal footing with the Saint Petersburg and Far East Forums. According to Marat Khusnullin, the summit is the main platform of economic interaction between the Russian Federation and countries of the Islamic World and it will be developed under a separate program.
During the meeting the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the President for the support to all the undertakings of the jubilee celebrations as well as to the Prime Minister for the support to all the initiatives of the Republic.
He also thanked all the members of the Organizing Committee, representatives of clergy and the Republic of Tatarstan represented by President of the Republic and Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee Rustam Minnikhanov for the excellent organization of events to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
According to the Head of the Republic, granting Kazan the status of the OIC Youth Capital-2022 is an evidence of Tatarstan’s recognition as a territory of great opportunities and prospects for mutually beneficial international cooperation.
Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the President of the country and the Government for their comprehensive assistance and support. He emphasized that in those extremely difficult times, fruitful interaction between the Russian Federation and Islamic states was developing dynamically. Rustam Minnikhanov expressed conviction that the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria would become another bright page in the historical record of achievements of our multinational country and would contribute to maintaining and consolidating interethnic and interreligious peace and accord in society.
The work of the Organizing Committee for the celebration was fully supported by the Russian Ministry of Culture. The Deputy Minister of Culture stressed the importance of the events dedicated to the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
These projects achieve the lofty goal of preserving the spiritual values of Islam, the cultural heritage, namely manuscripts, works of fine art and Islamic religious monuments for future generations.
The Deputy Prime Minister further instructed to work out a program for development of tourism on Muslim pilgrimage routes and assured of full support for its implementation.
In addition to it, Marat Khusnullin stated the importance of multilateral assistance to the Muslims of Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. ‘We are actively engaged in the restoration of destroyed places of worship, but we need to develop a separate program to integrate Muslim citizens of the annexed territories in the Russian Muslim community, as well as to provide spiritual support to Muslim brothers who are in the areas where the special military operation is being held’, the Deputy Prime Minister said.
The results of the events held as part of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria were summed up by State Counselor of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Vasil Shaikhraziev, Talgat Tadzhuddin, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia, and others also delivered there speeches.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: official website of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan