The 1,100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria is a significant event not only for Tatarstan, but for the whole of Russia, and will be celebrated at the world level, President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said it at the final press conference.
He reminded that in 2020, in spite of the coronavirus pandemic, there were many events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of TASSR. According to Minnikhanov, there will be a number of events dedicated to the anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria and they will be held at different venues.
The Republican fund "Vozrozhdenie" and the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World" headed by the President of Tatarstan will be involved in celebrating the anniversary.
Minnikhanov reminded that earlier Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government of Tatarstan to prepare a program for the celebration and assured that Russia would mark the date "at a good state level."
"We should hold this event with dignity at the world level," Rustam Minnikhanov stressed.
Islam in Russia and Europe
The President also answered the question about the differences between Islam in Russia and Europe. In Russia, Minnikhanov emphasized, there is not a single place where Islam would come into conflict with other religions. He drew attention to the fact that more than 20 million Muslims live in Russia today.
"You look at this: Islam in Russia and in Europe. In fact, nowhere is there even a point of tension in our country for Muslims to come into conflict with other religions. So something like this is a great, great achievement of the Russian state. It's our president's attitude to the role of Islam," Minnikhanov said.
He reminded that in 2005, at Vladimir Putin's initiative, Russia received observer status in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Now the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia-Islamic World", headed by the President of Tatarstan himself, is actively working to strengthen ties between Russia and the Islamic world. One of the upcoming meetings of the GSV is scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the authorities of the kingdom.
Tatarstan Days in Egypt
Tatarstan culture will be represented in Egypt in the foreseeable future. It was difficult to name the dates of the Days of Tatarstan in Egypt because of the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus and related travel restrictions. According to preliminary plans, the Days of Tatarstan may be held in autumn or by the end of 2021. In general, Rustam Minnikhanov stressed that Tatarstan is extremely interested in developing relations with Egypt and other countries of the Islamic world. This work is planned to be intensified as soon as the borders of the states are fully open. The President of Tatarstan reminded that there are a lot of online events held in the framework of the GSV "Russia - the Islamic world".
Cathedral mosque in Kazan
The question of Kazan Cathedral Mosque construction will be solved, said Rustam Minnikhanov at the press conference. The Head of the Republic underlined that there is a great need for a large Muslim temple that would be able to accommodate a big number of believers during the holy days and that Tatarstan's authorities understand that. Now the main task is to choose the construction site so that it would be convenient for the worshippers and fit harmoniously into the urban landscape. The city administration is now considering several possible sites for the mosque. It is planned to decide on the construction site in 2021.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official site of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan