Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov addressed the Bahrain Forum "The Significance of Dialogue between Religions" as part of a working visit to Manama. The forum is organized by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs of Bahrain. The main theme for this year is "East-West Dialogue for Human Coexistence".
The forum is attended by 200 world religious leaders, scholars and officials. The main principle guiding the organizers is the constant desire to expand bridges of dialogue between religious leaders, thinkers, cultural figures and media in the East and in the West.
Welcoming the participants, Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Group Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World", noted the importance of such a platform for the exchange of valuable views on interfaith relations.
"One of the effective platforms for discussion and dialogue is the GSV "Russia - Islamic World", which I head on behalf of our country's leadership," Rustam Minnikhanov reminded.
"Tatarstan's model of harmonious coexistence and interaction of nations and religions is broadcast today as a model of a reasonable civilizational approach in matters of national security and strategies for further development of the Russian Federation," he noted.
The president of Tatarstan stressed that Islam is an organic and integral part of Russian civilization. The federal scale of celebrating the 1,100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria is evidence of it. This decision was made by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
Rustam Minnikhanov told the participants of the forum about the work being done in the Republic to build and preserve interethnic and inter-religious peace. He reported that the next year has been announced the Year of National Cultures and Traditions in Tatarstan.
The president pointed out that more than 170 ethnic groups live in the region, national schools and departments of sunday schools are supported, traditional holidays of all peoples living in Tatarstan are celebrated on the state level.
In order to unite all nationalities, the Assembly of Peoples of Tatarstan was founded, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary.
In conclusion, the president invited forum participants to visit Tatarstan and learn about the development of intercultural dialogue in Russia.
In addition, on the sidelines of the Bahrain Forum in Manama, Rustam Minnikhanov met with Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha. The president of the Republic of Tatarstan thanked the organization's leadership for their comprehensive support and invited the OIC secretary-general to visit Kazan and take part in the KazanSummit.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Tatar-inform
Based on materials from the Press Service of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan
