Russia and Malaysia are two countries located on different continents with different historical and cultural backgrounds. However their history of interaction in the field of Islam and other areas is fascinating and significant for both sides. Over the time these two countries have developed close relations based on the exchange of cultural values, as well as economic and political interaction.
20 years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin, while in Malaysia, announced Russia’s intention to join the Organization of Islamic Conference as an observer. And in 2013, the current Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, visited Malaysia to expand bilateral relations between Malaysia and Tatarstan in trade, investment, IT industry, biotechnology and higher education. It should be noted that the first official visit of Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov to Malaysia took place in 2010. In 2012, the Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry came to Kazan for the APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting.
Interaction between Russia and Malaysia in the Field of Islam
Islam came to the territory of modern Russia in the VII century, when Arab caravans began travelling across Central Asia. Over time, Islam spread throughout what is now Russia and became an important part of the country’s culture and history. Muslims in Russia belong to different ethnic groups.
Malaysia has a long history of Islam, dating back to the XIII century, when Islam came to the island of Borneo and the Malacca Peninsula through trade links with Arab and Indian merchants. Islam became the dominant religion in this region, and nowadays the majority of Malays practice Sunni Islam.
Interest in interaction between Russia and Malaysia in the field of Islam began to grow in more modern times. The Soviet era in Russia was a period of atheism and repression towards religious communities. Nevertheless, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the restoration of religious freedom, religious communities, including Muslims, began to actively reestablish their cultural and religious ties with other countries.
Malaysia, being one of the Muslim-majority countries, has become an interesting partner for Russia. The two countries began to strengthen their relations through organizing educational and cultural programs aimed at deeping mutual understanding between Muslim communities. Such programs included student exchanges, conferences and joint research.
In addition, Russia and Malaysia actively participated in the dialogue between various Islamic currents and sought to help resolve international conflicts related to Islam. They also cooperated within international organizations, such as the Organization of Islamic Conference, to discuss issues related to the Islamic world.
The history of interaction between Russia and Malaysia in the field of Islam is the history of strengthening cultural and religious ties between two different countries. Despite the differences in their historical and cultural backgrounds, the countries found common ground in the religious and cultural dialogue. This interaction continues to foster understanding and tolerance between Muslim communities in Russia and Malaysia, and contributes to world peace and stability. Russia and Malaysia demonstrate how different cultures and religions can find common ground and reach cooperation.
Educational and Cultural Ties
Malaysia and Russia actively cooperated in the field of education and cultural exchange. As part of this cooperation, educational programs were established for Muslim students from Russia to study Islamic culture and religion in Malaysia. Such programs helped to enrich Russian students’ knowledge of Islam. In 2001, Russia and Malaysia signed an agreement on cooperation in education and culture. This agreement comprises the exchange of students, scholars and educational programs between the two countries.
In 2013, during a meeting with the Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Rustam Minnikhanov said, ‘Student exchange with Malaysia should be multiplied.’ This came true. By 2021, several thousand Malaysian students had been studying at Russian universities. They most often chose medical specialties, engineering and technical areas, as well as economics. The number of Russian students studying in Malaysia was lower, estimated at a few hundred at the time. Russian students were usually interested in Bachelor’s and Master’s programs at English-speaking universities in Malaysia.
There were agreements between Russian and Malaysian universities governing student exchange procedures and recognition of academic achievements. Exchange programs have often been supported by governmental and educational organizations of both countries. For instance, most recently, a memorandum of understanding was signed in Kazan between LETI and the University of Technology Malaysia as part of the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2023”: Economic Partnership in Modern Realities”.
Tourism and Cultural Exchange
Tourism is also an important aspect of interaction between Russia and Malaysia. Russian tourists visit Malaysia to experience its rich culture and Islamic heritage. This promotes mutual understanding and tolerance between different cultures and religions.
Trade Relations
Trade relations between Russia and Malaysia began to develop since the end of the XX century after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the opening of new markets for economic cooperation. Especially intensive development of trade relations began at the beginning of the XXI century.
The trade turnover between Russia and Malaysia includes a wide range of goods and services. The main goods exchanged between the two countries are oil and petroleum products, metals, chemical products, electronics and engineering.
Russia is a major exporter of oil and gas and Malaysia, in turn, is an important producer and exporter of energy resources. This relationship contributes to stable energy supply for both countries and strengthens their economic relations.
Investment and joint ventures are an important part of trade relations between Russia and Malaysia. Russian companies actively invest in Malaysian projects, especially in the energy, oil and gas, and agriculture sectors. In their turn, Malaysian companies also invest in Russia, participating in various sectors of the Russian economy.
Russia and Malaysia actively cooperate within international organization, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), to maintain free and fair trade. Both countries are in favor of strengthening a multi-lateral trading system and resolving disputes taking into account international norms and rules.
Current Cooperation
Today, cooperation between Russia and Malaysia continues to actively develop. Both countries continue to strengthen their educational, cultural and religious ties, which contributes to greater understanding and cooperation between their Muslim communities.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"