On March 5, 2024, at the Reception House of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, was held a meeting of the leadership of the Group of Strategic Vision (GSV) "Russia - Islamic World" with the accredited in Moscow ambassadors of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
This event was a continuation of the Group's efforts to strengthen interaction with representatives of OIC countries and informed them about the latest developments in Russia's domestic and foreign policy. The key topic of the event was informing the ambassadors about the Group's work in 2023 and the prospects for its activities in the current 2024 year. Special attention was paid to the special event of the Group scheduled for May 16, 2024, with the agenda "Russia - Islamic World: A Just Multipolar World Order and Secure Development". This event will be held in Kazan during the International Economic Forum «Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024».
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko and Chairman of the GSV "Russia - Islamic World", Head (Rais) of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov; as well as Deputy Chairman of the GSV, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the Federation Council for International Affairs Farit Mukhametshin and Chief Executive of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minullina.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin spoke first in a video message. “It is especially important for us that Islamic countries, in the face of hostile actions by Western states, supported Russia’s policy aimed at preserving traditional spiritual and moral values”, Marat Khusnullin emphasized in his greeting to the participants. Also, the Deputy Prime Minister confidently announced the opening of new prospects thanks to economic cooperation between Russia and the OIC member countries. Marat Khusnullin noted that successes were possible largely because of regular joint events, including the International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum".
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Andrei Rudenko said that “Russia, a multinational and multi-confessional nation, has long cherished its close ties with Muslim states, particularly within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation”. After that he listed common unifying interests: this is the construction of a multipolar world order based on the principles of cultural and civilizational diversity and the right of the nation to self-determination of their own development; and rejection of so-called neoliberal values that undermine human spiritual morality. Andrei Rudenko also recalled that this year the OIC will celebrate the 55th anniversary from foundation, and for two decades of joint work (since Russia received observer status in the Organization in 2005), have been achieved significant results. This includes a stable political dialogue on current issues on the international agenda, interaction in the fields of education and science, and the expansion of ties across the regions. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation pointed the uniqueness of the GSV “Russia - Islamic World” as an instrument of strengthening friendship, mutual understanding and trust between Russia and the Islamic world. Andrei Rudenko expressed confidence that the results of the upcoming KazanForum 2024 to further boost cooperation.
The Chairman of the GSV “Russia - Islamic World” and the Head (Rais) of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov began his speech with the name of the Almighty. He expressed gratitude to all participants and Russian colleagues who took part in organizing the event. “Enhancing cooperation with Muslim nations is a priority of Russia's foreign policy. Amidst the challenges of the current international climate, our partnerships take on even greater importance. Russia and the friendly Islamic states share a common goal of fostering comprehensive dialogue and partnership, based on mutual respect and equality. This collaboration extends beyond diplomatic relations, aiming to bolster traditional spiritual and moral values, encourage cultural diversity, and promote the dialogue of civilizations. The GSV "Russia - Islamic World" serves as a unifying international platform, facilitating these efforts”, said Rustam Minnikhanov. He recalled the global outrage over the burning of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark in 2023, which Russia strongly condemned.
Rustam Minnikhanov outlined Russia's concern about the situation in the Middle East: bloody battles in the Gaza Strip, numerous casualties and huge humanitarian disasters. “In its first commentary on October 12, 2023, the GSV emphasized its commitment to upholding the principles of equality, justice, and respect for the cultural and civilizational identities of nations”, recalled Rustam Minnikhanov. He also noted that regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the GSV support the stance articulated by the Russian president Vladimir Putin. “Our country has consistently supported the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, particularly those aimed at establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state”.
Next, Rustam Minnikhanov listed the directions of more than a dozen major international events held by the GSV “Russia - Islamic World” in 2023, and assured that the work will continue according to the approved plan. The Rais of Tatarstan paid special attention to the KazanForum held in 2023, in which took part over 16 thousand people from 80 countries and 86 regions of Russia. Taking this opportunity, Rustam Minnikhanov invited his colleagues to the upcoming “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2024”. According to Rais RT, the example of the Republic of Tatarstan shows how Russia is expanding cooperation with the Islamic world. Along with the establishment of trade, economic and investment projects, cultural traditions are successfully developing - the republic is a pilot region for introducing the principles of Islamic banking and finance in Russia. Active work is underway to develop the halal industry, and much attention is paid to Islamic education.
Rustam Minnikhanov also noted that in 2022 Kazan received the status of the youth capital of the OIC. And in Kazan at 2025, with the support of the federal authorities and the OIC, it is planned to hold the first “Islamic Youth Games”, in which young athletes from more than 40 countries of the Islamic world will compete. Rais RT recalled the recent completion of the large-scale “Games of the Future” in Kazan - this is the world’s first format that includes physical sports and e-sports disciplines. The project was developed in Russia. The opening ceremony of the “Games of the Future” was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, many heads of state of the CIS countries, as well as high-ranking delegations from China, the UAE, Türkiye, Indonesia and many other countries. More than two thousand athletes took part in the competition, including 30 OIC countries.
Rustam Minnikhanov also said that in 2024 Russia will organize more than two hundred events, Tatarstan will host about twenty major meetings of these, at the ministerial level, including the summit of the BRICS heads of state. Also, the BRICS Games will be held in Kazan this year. Chairman of the GSV “Russia – Islamic World” Rustam Minnikhanov expressed confidence that many teams from the OIC member countries will also take part in them.
Chief Executive of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minullina, noted in her speech that in 2024 the forum will be anniversary, 15th on count. Last year, 16,223 people from 80 countries and 86 regions of the Russian Federation became participants of the forum with federal status. In 2024, there is growing interest - registration is already open on the official website of the event. Taliya Minullina thanked the Russian Foreign Ministry for providing comprehensive support to the forum on an annual basis. She also noted that the upcoming forum, in addition to the traditional meeting with ambassadors of foreign states, will include forums of young diplomats.
“The dates of the forum are May 14-19. And this is practically a whole working week. We are growing, we have 200 events included in our business and cultural program”, shared Taliya Minullina. The events include a meeting of the GSV “Russia - the Islamic World” (150 conferences), a UNESCO meeting, a halal trade fair, an Islamic fashion show, and celebrations in honor of the day of the adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria. For the fourth year in a row, a forum of chambers of commerce and industry of Islamic countries is being held jointly with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation. Among the business sessions, the topics of “halal” and Islamic finance will be central. The importance of the issue of developing transport negotiations is noted. Also in 2024, the topic of tourism has been expanded: meetings of working groups of intergovernmental commissions on tourism with Russia, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia to held.
Taliya Minullina presented the expansion of the program on cultural issues, including separate events on digital and Islamic art, the creative economy, and the film industry. Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are already taking part in the exhibition of economic achievements and development patterns with their stands in 2024. Therefore, she paid attention to the small number of remaining stands for the presentation of economic achievements of countries wishing to participate.
The Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation is actively working to organize a halal trade fair. Taliya Minullina clarified that this is a separate event within the framework of KazanForum, where manufacturers of halal products can sell their products. In addition, this is an excellent opportunity to establish coordination chains. “So, we ask your halal manufacturers to take part in this forum”, Taliya Minullina addressed the meeting participants, “After all, no robots and digital products can replace a human smile, the joy of communication and, of course, personal agreements”.
In his turn, Deputy Chairman of the GSV, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Farit Mukhametshin noted the gradual expansion of the GSV “Russia – Islamic World” as an international platform for communication and cooperation between representatives of public formations, religious associations of Russia and countries of the Islamic world. The work is being built in accordance with the updated Concept of International Policy of the Russian Federation, which for the first time includes cooperation with the OIC countries, also emphasized Farit Mukhametshin. He mentioned the GSV meeting held in 2023 themed "Russia-Islamic World: Traditional Spiritual and Moral Values as a Basis for Interreligious Cooperation". As part of the meeting in the Bulgarian Islamic Academy, was organized a meeting of religious leaders of Islamic countries with representatives of GSV. Farit Mukhametshin wished to briefly retell the words of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' spoken during this meeting. The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church expressed confidence that further development and expansion of interaction between Orthodoxy and Islam will help effectively confront the challenges and temptations of our time. Christians and Muslims have huge spiritual, creative and cultural potential to protect their right to live in accordance with God's commandments. The interaction of Orthodox Christianity with Islam can truly ensure the creation of a global common front in the struggle for the survival of human civilization.
Farit Mukhametshin noted the fundamental changes at the international level taking place in the complex process of forming a new, fairer, multipolar world order that meets the interests of the majority of humanity. At the same time, the countries of the collective West don’t want to put up with this course of events, which portends for them the loss of global hegemony and the collapse of the policy of neo-colonialism.
Farit Mukhametshin also spoke about the Group’s expansion of interaction with structural institutions of the OIC. These include the Union of News Agencies, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and national organizations of Muslim countries, and consistent work is also being carried out to intensify inter-parliamentary cooperation. Under the auspices of the GSV “Russia – Islamic World”, along with annual meetings, a number of international events are held, both in the country and abroad: Kazan International Muslim Film Festival, Forum of Young Diplomats and Young Entrepreneurs of OIC Member Countries, international exhibitions “Islam in Russia”, international summer school "Bulgarian Dialogue of Cultures" and others.
This year, the Group is focusing on discussions regarding the formation of a polycentric world order, following recommendations from the Kazan meeting of the GSV "Russia - Islamic World". Preparations are in progress for a special event: an international conference titled "Russia - Islamic World: A Just Multipolar World Order and Secure Development," scheduled for May 16, 2024, in Kazan. It is expected that the Kazan International Conference of representatives of Russian and Muslim nations can become a permanent international platform. Farit Mukhametshin thanked the participants for their constant attention to the activities of the GSV and congratulated them on the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.