The International Conference of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” (GSV) was held on May 16, 2024, at the IT Park named after Bashir Rameev in Kazan. The theme “Russia – Islamic World: Fair Multipolar World Order and Secure Development”. On conference was discussed new opportunities for interaction between the Russian Federation and Muslim countries in the context of a rapidly changing political situation in the world, as well as a number of actual topics on the international agenda and new challenges at the international level that require a coordinated and balanced approach when making decisions on the formation of a fair multipolar world order and safe development. The meeting coincided with the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2024” - the primary platform for economic interaction between Russia and Muslim states.
The meeting was attended by the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Chairman of the GSV “Russia - Islamic World” Rustam Minnikhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin, National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Mohamed Salah Tekaya, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutsky, Minister of Government of the Samara Region Dmitry Bogdanov, Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church and Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Presidium for Foreign and Defense Policy of Russia and Director for Scientific Work of the Foundation for Development and Support of the International Discussion Club "Valdai" Fedor Lukyanov, Supreme Mufti and Chairman of the Central Religious Board of Muslims of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin, Head of the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia Ravil Gainutdin , Head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia Albir Krganov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on issues of interaction with public and religious organizations Muzaffar Kamilov, Chairman of the World Council of Muslim Communities (UAE) Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs Ezzat Saad, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Salim bin Muhammad al-Malik, Secretary General of the World Organization for the Rapprochement of Madhhabs (Iran) Hamid Havali Shahriyary, Chief Justice of Palestine Al- Haash Mahmoud Sudqi, Advisor to the Secretary General of the World Islamic League and Representative of the League in Russia Ahmad Faisal Elyssef, Head of the Eurasian Department of the Directorate of Religious Affairs of Türkiye Salih Gör , as well as heads of Russian regions, public and political figures. Heads of foreign diplomatic missions, famous scientists and thinkers from the countries of the Islamic world also took part in the meeting.
In total, the meeting was attended by representatives of 47 countries, as well as such Muslim organizations as the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation), WIL (World Islamic League), LAS (League of Arab States), World Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO), World Council of Muslim Communities.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin, who spoke first, read out a welcome message from Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin: “I extend my warm welcome to all participants and guests of the anniversary XV International Economic Forum 'Russia - Islamic World,' hosted graciously by Kazan. Tatarstan once again showcases its abundant potential and steadfast commitment to progress across various domains. The region's achievements in the economy, social sphere, science, and culture are truly remarkable, serving as tangible evidence of the significant contributions made by Russian Muslims and residents of the republic, irrespective of nationality, towards the development of our nation. This furthers the strengthening of our sovereignty and global influence, ensuring stability and harmony within our society.
Russia cherishes its longstanding amicable relations with Muslim nations. We highly value their pursuit of independent foreign policies and their endeavors to augment their role in international affairs. Together, we advocate for the establishment of a democratic, multipolar world order founded on the supremacy of law and principles of justice, free from any form of imposition or discrimination. Moreover, we remain committed to expanding mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors, ranging from trade and investment to sports and tourism.
The ongoing meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision 'Russia - Islamic World,' featuring representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, holds great significance. It underscores the growing interaction between Russia and this esteemed international body on pertinent regional and global issues. I am confident that the forum's deliberations will, as always, be substantive and constructive, fostering an atmosphere of openness and trust, thereby further bolstering the friendship and constructive partnership between our nations and peoples. I wish you all fruitful discussions and every success”.
Addressing the development of relations with Islamic countries, Khusnullin reiterated that it remains a key priority of Russian foreign policy. “The relations between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world are characterized by a strategic partnership. This partnership gains momentum through the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World”, under the leadership of Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. Over the past 15 years, the Group has fostered close and comprehensive contacts between Russia and Islamic countries. All this unfolds amidst contemporary challenges and threats, as well as the profound upheavals affecting the Middle East. In such circumstances, it becomes paramount to convey the essence of the Russian people, who have consistently stood for truth and peace. Islam, the ancestral faith of millions of Russian citizens, has significantly shaped the unique Russian civilization, where individuals of diverse nationalities and faiths coexist harmoniously”, emphasized Marat Khusnullin.
National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said in his speech that Russia’s relations with the Islamic world are acquiring special dynamics and clearer guidelines. “In this context, Russia and Islamic countries demonstrate how to build relationships between states and peoples: with respect, equality, and an understanding of each other's needs and requirements. This is our strength, advantage, and future”, - Berdimuhamedov noted, emphasizing that Russia and Islamic countries are called to showcase modern models of cooperation while adhering to traditional values, peace, and social justice. There is a vast field for joint activity here, Berdimuhamedov added.
The representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mohamed Salah Tekaya, in his speech conveyed the greetings of OIC Secretary General Hussein Brahim Taha to the participants of the event. “The OIC highly values the relations between our countries, which align with the charter and values of our Organization. We deeply appreciate the opportunities afforded to Muslims in Russia, where they enjoy full rights and actively participate in all spheres of life. The existence of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World” exemplifies this cooperation, its significance growing amidst escalating global challenges spanning political, military, socio-economic, and environmental domains. Regional organizations and states increasingly play pivotal roles in addressing these challenges. The OIC is committed to fostering cooperation grounded in shared objectives, in line with the UN and OIC charters, advocating for principles of mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, good neighborliness, regional unity, sovereignty preservation, and peaceful conflict resolution based on equality, mutual respect, and justice”, - affirmed the speaker.
The OIC representative placed particular emphasis on the situation in Palestine. “We fervently advocate for the protection of Gaza Strip's population, urging the realization of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, in accordance with UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative”, - underscored Tekaya. The OIC, he recalled, calls for quickly resolving crises in various regions of the world, starting a dialogue, and reaching reconciliation on the basis of mutual respect and trust. In addition, the OIC opposes any form of terrorism and extremism and rejects attempts to connect these phenomena with any religion, culture or nationality. “We stand firm against Islamophobia and hate speech targeting any culture, advocating for heritage preservation and the protection of rights for individuals of all demographics - men, women, children, and the elderly. We champion indigenous and traditional family structures and marital relations”, - concluded the OIC representative.
Rais of Tatarstan and Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World” Rustam Minnikhanov noted in his speech that the modern world is characterized by turbulent and contradictory trends, as well as differences in expectations of a “new world order” between the collective West and the non-Western world. “In today's world, we witness diverse expectations regarding the 'new world order' between the collective West and the non-Western world. Real multipolarity is emerging while globalization yields to regionalization. Many ponder on how to navigate through this crisis and contemplate the roles of the Russian Federation and the Islamic world as leading poles of multipolarity in the new global paradigm. How can Russia and Muslim countries collaborate for constructive development, peace, security, friendship, and cooperation?”, - queried Minnikhanov.
“The Group of Strategic Vision 'Russia - Islamic World' aims to address these inquiries at its level. Next year marks 20 years since Russia became an observer in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, coinciding with the Organization's 55th anniversary this year. I extend my congratulations to the OIC leadership and its member states on this significant milestone, wishing them continued success in serving all nations and peoples. Recently, at the 15th Summit of Heads of State and Government of OIC Member States in The Gambia, I led the Russian delegation upon the request of our leadership. The summit, held every three years, centered on the theme: 'Strengthening Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development.' During the sidelines of the summit, I engaged in discussions with several Muslim state leaders, exploring Russia's cooperation with the Islamic world, including our Group's activities. Our positions often align closely. Summit participants expressed keen interest in collaborating with the Russian Federation, underscoring the significance of unity, solidarity, and dialogue in addressing global challenges and maintaining security and stability. Leading international organizations, including the BRICS association, play pivotal roles in this endeavor. Since January of this year, five additional states, including Muslim countries such as Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, have joined BRICS. In 2024, as Russia chairs BRICS, over two hundred related events are planned, including about 20 significant meetings in Tatarstan, comprising the BRICS Summit of Heads of State, as well as BRICS Plus and BRICS Outreach format meetings”, - told Rais RT.
“Presently, the Ukrainian crisis continues to exert profoundly negative impacts on global security and the world economy. Escalating tensions in Palestine and between Iran and Israel reverberate globally. The bloodshed in the Gaza Strip and the loss of civilian lives evoke deep concern among Muslims worldwide. In Russia, including Tatarstan, efforts are underway to provide humanitarian aid. I express gratitude to the people of Tatarstan for their responsiveness. We echo our country's President, Vladimir Putin's stance on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of political negotiations, envisioning the establishment of the State of Palestine with UN membership”, - emphasized Minnikhanov.
The Chairman of the GSV “Russia - Islamic World” also spoke about the huge problem of our time - terrorism in all its manifestations and forms, recalling the monstrous terrorist attack in the Moscow region in March of this year: “One of its aims is to sow interreligious and interethnic discord, attempting to cloak itself behind our religion while perpetuating the 'Muslim-terrorist' stereotype”. In this regard, Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized the importance of decisively combating this destructive ideology and demonstrating the peaceful and creative nature of Islam. Especially in the context of dynamic changes on a global scale, covering not only politics, economics and the military-strategic sphere, but also the cultural, moral, and spiritual life of most countries against the backdrop of an unprecedented threat to security on a global scale.
“Regrettably, the collective West seeks to supplant international law with a system of 'rules' skewed to its interests. In an effort to maintain a dominant position, the West uses a variety of forms of pressure: wars, sanctions, blackmail, modern types of neo-colonialism. As an alternative, the healthy forces of the planet should counter this with a model of a fair and multipolar world order”, - called on the Chairman of the GSV “Russia-Islamic World”.
The emergence of new dividing lines is explained not only by military-political confrontation and economic rivalry, but also by the incompatibility of various moral guidelines and cultural priorities. These guidelines are directly related to security, which includes not only ensuring the stability of the political system, economic potential and defense power of the country, but also the preservation and development of traditional values, which are the core of the way of life of citizens. “Orthodoxy and Islam align or closely relate on fundamental moral values, encompassing human rights and family principles. I am confident that the positive synergy and partnership between Russia and the Islamic world will significantly contribute to fostering secure development within a fair and multipolar world order”, - concluded Rais RT.
Muslim states are increasingly moving beyond regional politics and participating in solving global issues. This opinion was expressed by Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev in his speech.
“Russia will continue dialogue with partners from the Muslim world on the formation of an inclusive system of global governance. The vast majority of Muslim states in Asia and Africa are our long-time friends. They are increasingly raising their profile in world affairs, going beyond purely regional politics and demonstrating an interest in participating in resolving global problems. For our part, we support the leading role in the regional affairs of the League of Arab States and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which acts on behalf of the entire Islamic world and is transregional in its nature”, - Kosachev said and noted that Russia will continue to support countries in an effort to play an increasingly significant role in solving the key problems of our time.
Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs of the Russian Federation Leonid Slutsky in his speech highly appreciated the active cooperation of Tatarstan with foreign partners and expressed gratitude to the personal contribution of Rais of Republic Rustam Minnikhanov. Tatarstan actively cooperates with other countries as part of the construction of a stable and secure global architecture of the 21st century, which helps strengthen international cooperation.
Leonid Slutsky also highlighted the efforts of Tatarstan in organizing conferences and seminars with the participation of students, experts and heads of state aimed at achieving this goal: “Tatarstan is becoming a model for other regions of Russia in the implementation of international projects”. In addition, Slutsky emphasized the active international activities of both the first President of Tatarstan, Mintimer Shaimiev, and the current Rais of Republic Rustam Nurgalievich Minnikhanov, noting the latter’s constant working visits to various countries such as Turkmenistan, Abu Dhabi and Gambia.
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' conveyed his greetings to the attendees of the plenary session of the GSV “Russia - the Islamic World”. The text at the meeting was read by the Metropolitan of Volokolamsk: “Esteemed participants of the meeting! I extend a warm welcome to all gathered today in Kazan for discussions on matters pertaining to the relations between Russia and the Islamic world. It's heartening to observe that these relations possess not only a distinct practical significance but also hold profound spiritual implications. The theme of this gathering - 'A Just Multipolar World Order and Secure Development' - aptly mirrors the aspirations of the majority of the global populace, who yearn to live in a fair and liberated society founded on principles of mutual respect, equality, and trust. In steadfast adherence to enduring moral values and in recognition of the indispensable role of religious faith in human existence, Russia and Islamic nations stand united against the encroachment of secular ideologies, the promotion of immoral practices, and the erosion of moral absolutes, which fundamentally stem from the rejection of God and His commandments. Over a millennium ago, the Russian people embraced Orthodoxy as the cornerstone of their societal and cultural advancement, while in Bolgar, Islam was similarly embraced. Here, on the sacred soil of Tatarstan, two spiritual traditions, sharing a common foundation of values and moral precepts, have intertwined harmoniously, enabling us to approach many challenges with shared perspectives and to effectively navigate the complexities of our time. Expressing optimism for the continuation of our collaborative endeavors, I extend my best wishes to all participants for a productive and enriching discourse”.
Supreme Mufti, Chairman of the Central Religious Board of Muslims of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin emphasized in his speech that the forum will undoubtedly serve to further strengthen Russia’s ties with Islamic countries, strengthen interreligious and interethnic peace and harmony, and develop new opportunities for interaction between Russia and the OIC countries in the context of a rapidly changing situation in the world.
Separately, the religious leader focused on the situation in Palestine. “The conflict that flared up with renewed vigor in the sacred lands around the abode of peace - Jerusalem in Palestine, echoes in our hearts with grave pain and great sorrow. Undoubtedly, the basis of this conflict is the injustice towards the Palestinian people, laid down more than 70 years ago, during which the UN resolution on the creation of two states - Israel and Palestine – wasn’t implemented. The ongoing development of the confrontation between the two sides has led not only to the violation of all norms of international law, but also to the norms of relations between nations and states, to the use of barbaric methods of struggle, when civilians and, above all, women and children suffer and die, not only in tens and hundreds, but in thousands. Today, when the whole world is boiling, the nations and countries of the world, all of us, must make a worthy contribution to the preservation of peace and the affirmation of the values of life. We consider it our duty to call on the parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities, release the hostages and prevent the escalation of the conflict, death and suffering of the civilian population”, - the head of the Central Religious Board of Muslims emphasized. “We call on the international community and the countries of the Islamic world to support Russia’s efforts to recognize the Palestinian State as a full member of the Organization by the UN Security Council and make every effort to restore peace and stability in the Middle East”, - added Talgat Tadzhuddin.
The head of the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia, Ravil Gainutdin, in his speech highlighted the significance of hosting such significant international events in the capital of Tatarstan. “Visitors to Kazan are always struck by the harmonious coexistence of mosques alongside Christian Orthodox churches, synagogues, Old Believer Catholic and Protestant churches on its streets. This unique atmosphere of interfaith harmony in Tatarstan sets a high standard of friendship among representatives of different religions and ethnicities for the entire multinational Russia”, - Gainutdin noted and wished that this example would be borrowed in different countries of the world.
The religious leader said that today a war party is in power in Israel, which systematically carries out acts of genocide against the Palestinian people. Various states, including Russia and the countries of the Islamic world, are trying to stop the total destruction of an entire nation. On May 10 of this year, the UN General Assembly expanded the rights of Palestine in this international Organization and again proposed that the Security Council positively consider the issue of full membership of Palestine in the UN. The resolution was adopted by votes of 143 countries. “And we are well aware of those who routinely veto such decisions in the Security Council, callously disregarding the opinions of numerous nations across the globe,” - the religious figure noted. Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and other countries in the Middle East region have always been famous for their interfaith harmony. Representatives of different directions and movements of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism over the centuries found common points of contact and, in general, lived peacefully.
“Russia has never pursued a colonial policy in the Middle East, has never pitted peoples against each other, and has never tried to squeeze all the resources out of these territories for next to nothing. Moscow invites the leaders of Middle Eastern states at various levels to jointly resist provocations so that long-awaited peace and security reign in the region. In one of his speeches, President Vladimir Putin noted: “Russia values friendly ties with Muslim countries and highly values their desire to pursue an independent foreign policy and increase their role in international affairs”. We are witnessing the fact that more and more new world and regional capitals are ready to raise their voices and declare themselves as the new poles of a new multipolar world order. It is gratifying that among such countries, the states of the Islamic world play a special role”, - emphasized the head of the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia.
The Chairman of the World Council of Muslim Communities (UAE), Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, in his speech conveyed greetings from the leadership of the UAE to the meeting participants and emphasized that the partnership between Russia and the Islamic world is full and comprehensive cooperation. “We must evaluate the significance of such meetings, but also talk, put forward new initiatives, plans and projects as an expression of our strategic partnership”, - stated Al Nuaimi.
“Today, we speak of a multipolar world order. Yet, achieving this paradigm shift requires more than mere political will. We must endeavor to ensure that the progress of our nations translates into the prosperity and independence of our citizens, contributing to the realization of a multipolar arrangement. This necessitates concrete initiatives from both Russia and Islamic countries, focusing on enhancing economic partnership and extending this cooperation into other domains. Such initiatives will fortify our integration in political decisions, bolstering our national independence while accounting for national nuances. Initiatives in public, cultural, and youth policies are equally crucial and can only be realized through economic partnership. Our gathering today contributes meaningfully to these objectives”, - Al Nuaimi emphasized. He confirmed the existence of forces that artificially create certain crises, having a negative impact on the general desire to create partnerships. It is important to keep in mind that yesterday's crises are different from today's, and it is also important to consider how a shared strategic vision can play a role in building a new world.
“But this doesn’t mean that we should ignore crises. We must do everything to resist them. We often approach these crises in a traditional way, but today the whole world understands the suffering of the Palestinian people. We must do more. We want the whole world to stand together with the Palestinian people, so that the Palestinian people feel that their lives are our concern, that honor and respect for them must be at the forefront. Therefore, we should not limit ourselves only to statements and declarations, we must implement our ideas in order to support the Palestinian people, who today need food, medicine, medical care and a decent life. We must do everything to stand with the Palestinian people and support their desire to create their own independent state. We must do everything to turn our statements and declarations into real steps to support the Palestinian people. It is with deeds that we must support Palestinian people, and not just with words”, - the speaker concluded.
Chairman of the Presidium for Foreign and Defense Policy of Russia and Director for Scientific Work of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai International Discussion Club, Fyodor Lukyanov, in his speech, asked a question about the meaning of the concept of a multipolar world. “The concept of multipolarity in our everyday life, Russian and, so to speak, world, already in a new interpretation, came in the 90s, and one of the founders of this new approach was Evgeniy Maksimovich Primakov, who was mentioned here more than once, who, in fact, introduced this concept. But, in my opinion, it must be very clearly understanding that in that period and for quite a long period of time, in the mid-90s until, probably, the end of the 2010s, multipolarity was understood primarily as opposition, as an opponent of the hegemony that arose in the post-Cold War world”, - Lukyanov noted.
According to the speaker, with the advent of a new era, the concept of “superpower” will probably not exist, due to the emergence of large, medium-sized, and sometimes even small states with one or another ability to influence the world. “And in this sense, it seems to me that Russia and the Islamic world are capable of becoming the intellectual leaders of this completely new, non-Western and, in a sense, non-polar understanding of the new international situation”, - Lukyanov suggested. The speaker reminded to participants the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech at the Valdai Forum in 2023, where the Russian head of state outlined six principles of how Russia would like to see the world develop: openness and the absence of barriers; manifold; collective decision-making by those interested and involved in certain problems; indivisible security; justice associated with the values and national traditions of each people and country; equality, individual for each state and each nation.
“ Both Russia and the Islamic world are, by definition, extremely diverse communities. It is not the Western approach as the pole of the main dominance, but our traditions that are capable of giving a new vision of how the world will function in the next decades”, - Lukyanov concluded.
Director of the Egyptian Council on International Affairs, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt and one of the members of the GSV “Russia - Islamic World” Ezzat Saad in his speech congratulated the entire Russian people and Russian leadership on the 79th anniversary of the victory over Nazism. The speaker noted the collapse of hopes for the United States to build a new, fair world order, which is obvious in the context of worsening relations between the Republican and Democratic parties of the state. “US foreign policy is just a set of new challenges that require military solutions. Why and how this happened, we see in the example of the collapse of their policy towards Afghanistan, Yemen and the inability to resolve the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel”, - Saad emphasized. According to him, even American analysts argue that the United States has never made so many political miscalculations in the actions it has taken. This leads to the fact that the United States, as an expression of its helplessness, is forced to constantly use the veto, as in the example of the attempt to resolve the crisis related to the Gaza Strip.
“This policy of one-sided support for Israel and hostility towards Iran doesn’t bring any positive results. And this is reflected in the situation in Ukraine. The United States policy of supporting Israel has led to a catastrophic development of events in Palestine”, - Saad stated and noted that such a policy has led to a rise in opposition sentiments in American universities and among American youth. In addition, the US administration is trying to force journalists and media representatives not to use words such as “genocide against the Palestinian people” and the like in their articles and speeches. According to Saad, there is clear pressure from the American administration on freedom of opinion.
“The speech of Russia and China in support of the peoples of the Middle East indicates that the largest countries of the world and the entire region are opposed to the current policies of the West, the United States and the creation of new alliances within these countries. This speaks of the growing power of countries that want to develop independently. And both Mr. Minnikhanov and Mr. Lukyanov spoke about this”, - Saad concluded.
The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Salim bin Muhammad al-Malik, in his speech said that ISESCO and GSV share interests in strengthening interaction, cooperation and developing concrete strategies to provide opportunities to youth. Al-Malik recalled the bilateral visits that took place in 2023 between representatives of ISESCO and Tatarstan, which indicates a new level of cooperation, especially in matters of youth policy. “We believe that cooperation with GSV in particular, and with the Russian Federation in general, is an excellent opportunity to use our resources and strengths in combating current challenges and promoting trade and investment, cultural exchange and mutual understanding, and also provides a platform for constructive dialogue. However, creating and maintaining strong relationships requires trust, transparency and a true commitment to our common goals and values”, - the speaker emphasized. He also invited to visit the Kazan Expo exhibition center, where ISESCO organized special sessions on the issues of education of the new generation of youth during the forum.
“We should hold a specific meeting with youth, similar to those held within the BRICS platform, in order to discuss the common challenges facing youth and develop recommendations”, - suggested al-Malik. In conclusion, he noted that the GSV “Russia - Islamic World” is a very important asset in the international arena.
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Crimea to the President of the Russian Federation Georgy Muradov conveyed heartfelt greetings from the Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergei Aksenov and from all Muslims of Crimea. Georgy Muradov recalled that the Crimean people were the first in the 21st century to throw off the shackles of new forms of colonial dependence, in which they remained for 23 years, being part of Ukraine. “ When Crimea returned to its home country 10 years ago, the Tatars of Crimea were reunited with their large family of Tatar peoples, who, together with the Russians, created our great country over the centuries, preserving and developing the national languages, cultures, and traditions of their many peoples for centuries. This attitude towards the Tatars of Crimea differs sharply from what was with them as part of Ukraine”, - the speaker emphasized.
Georgy Muradov noted that after returning home to Russia, the Crimean Tatar language was immediately recognized in Crimea as the state language. A full cycle of education system in the Crimean Tatar language was also founded. Crimean Tatars entered into all bodies of republican power. Media work in the Crimean Tatar language was organized. In addition, a large-scale program has been launched for the restoration of Muslim shrines and the construction of new ones.
“The most effective way to see the reality of these achievements is to visit Russian Crimea, where Muslims live in peace in harmony with adherents of other faiths. Therefore, we, as a government, support the idea of the Religious Board of Muslims of Crimea to invite representatives of the leadership of states, members of the OIC to take part in the opening of the cathedral mosque in Simferopol, which we will officially announce”, - Muradov said. He emphasized that Western information centers, spreading fake news about the alleged oppression of Crimean Tatars in Crimea and trying to silence the achievements of Crimean Muslims, have never been to Crimea themselves and refuse to visit it and get acquainted with the modern life of Muslims on the peninsula.
“We once again confirm our readiness to discuss any issues of interest to the OIC member states regarding Crimea. We earnestly ask you, our friends, not to support negative resolutions on these issues constructed by the West at various platforms of international organizations. We will be grateful to you for this”, - Muradov urged.
At the end of his speech, the speaker announced the readiness of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea, the Muslims of Crimea, to develop diverse ties with the OIC states, starting with the construction of various ships at our shipyards, the export of unique mechanical equipment and ending with the supply of agricultural goods, including halal products. Mentioning the geographic proximity of Crimea to the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye, Muradov expressed hope for establishing strong transport links with neighboring states.
General of the World Organization for the Rapprochement of Madhhabs (Iran) Hamid Havali Shahriyary announced the emergence of a new world order, which will inevitably replace the old one. “I would like to say a few words about the operation, which was called the Al-Aqsa Flood. This is an uprising of the Palestinian people against the occupiers. We must join forces to help the Palestinian people. We believe that this operation was a real challenge for the forces of aggression, the forces of reaction, the forces of zionism, but we know that hundreds of thousands of people were killed as a result of military action, and we must raise our voices and take concrete measures to help the Palestinian people”, - called Shahriyary and noted that the only way is to confront these forces in organizing a common movement at the level of the Islamic world, Russia and China.
“We believe that the future of the world belongs to us, and we have a great responsibility in this regard. And now we must do everything in our power to confront our enemy. This confrontation, this conflict has been going on for centuries, and the crimes committed by the zionists are known to everyone. Therefore, we must, I repeat once again, unite our efforts and resist the forces that fuel wars and conflicts in our world”, - Shahriyary concluded.
Head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia Mufti Albir Krganov said in his speech that mutual assistance is a common strength and the key to success. “Just think about it, undefeated radicals entrenched in Afghanistan, calling themselves the Islamic State of Khorasan, took responsibility for the monstrous terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, which shocked Russia in March of this year. This crime claimed the lives of more than a hundred innocent people and became a challenge not only to Russian society, but to the whole world. It is already known that Western curators of militants helped organize it, ready to do anything to destabilize the situation in Russia, just because our country dared to challenge their neocolonial ambitions”, - the mufti said and declared the need to respond to such challenges with unity and solidarity.
Also Albir Krganov spoke about the Interreligious Spiritual Cultural and Educational Center being created in Moscow - a large-scale complex designed to unite the traditional religions of Russia: Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. “As for mosques, temples, synagogues, in modern Russian times we have built as many similar institutions as were never built in the previous period of Russian history. Thousands of mosques have been built throughout the country. When I talk to my friends and colleagues from Arab countries, they don't even believe it. It looks fantastic. But the process continues and will continue for all our traditional faiths, because this is the place where people receive spiritual support, and this is important for the state”, - concluded Krganov.
Palestinian Chief Justice Al- Haash Mahmoud Sudki called his speech a message to the Palestinian people. “Yesterday, May 15th, the Palestinian people celebrated the anniversary of Nakba Day 1948. And now, as Palestinians remember this catastrophe, they are experiencing a new one. This is a disaster that killed or injured more than 120 thousand people in the Gaza Strip . More than 70% of Gaza 's infrastructure was destroyed. Hundreds of mosques, churches, schools, hospitals, houses. More than 370 thousand residential buildings were destroyed. More than one and a half million people lost their homes. Many live deprived of almost everything. This is happening in a world that the United States claims to lead”, - Sudki said, placing full responsibility for the victims of the Palestinian people on the United States.
“The Islamic world is capable of being a world power, a world power, because it has enormous natural reserves. It is united by a single religion, a single territory. This is a huge territory together with China and Russia in order to establish a world based on justice. And this is what we need in Palestine. We will not raise a white flag, we will not capitulate. We will defend our rights to the end. We believe that the entire free, truly free world will stand on our side. And despite the violence that is imposed on us, justice will still prevail. Thank you for your attention and peace and blessings of Allah be upon you”, - concluded Sudki.
Minister of Government of the Samara Region Dmitry Bogdanov welcomed the participants on behalf of the Governor of the Samara Region Dmitry Azarov and the regional government, and also expressed respect for the GSV “Russia - Islamic World”. The speaker noted that the Samara region is one of the largest economically developed regions of the Russian Federation, while 10% of citizens profess Islam. “157 nationalities live in the region, in peace, in friendship, and this is a unique situation when a large number of nationalities, faiths and people who create the future of our country coexist without conflict for a long time. But in today’s geopolitical conditions, a multipolar world with mutual respect is the only healthy philosophy”, - Bogdanov said and emphasized that Russia, together with the countries of the Islamic world, think and act together. At the same time, the speaker expressed confidence that the most important points of rapprochement and friendship could be more active work on specific projects and highlighted several areas. These include: intercultural ties, joint investments with special tax regimes, development of safe transport routes, as well as training of young specialists and scientists, educational tourism. “Samara, and, I am sure, all our other regions of the Russian Federation are ready for a new page in the development of relations and to speed up this work”, - the speaker concluded.
Chairman of the Islamic public organization "Muhammadiyya", professor of the National Islamic University in Jakarta Din Shamsuddin, in his speech, focused on the topic of cooperation and rapprochement between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world as an important task of the GSV. The task is to expand cooperation in various fields, including politics, the speaker said and cited as an example support for the just cause of Palestine and the Russian position in the international arena. Contacts between Russia and the Muslim world are not active and intensive enough, according to Shamsuddin , since there is a problem with the rapprochement of different ummas .
“We are trying to explain that the religion of Islam is a religion of peace and doesn’t threaten anyone, any other religions. The changes that are now taking place in the world, with the United States threatening the national security of other states, especially after the 2001 event. The so-called war against terrorism turned out to be a war against Islam and led to a clash of civilizations. The United States uses force as a tool, a tool for resolving conflict situations. And in contacts with the Islamic world, this approach creates the impression that the United States is using the war against terrorism, covering up its true attitude towards Islamic countries”, - the speaker emphasized. Thus, an opportunity is created for the Russian Federation to become a strategic partner of the Islamic world and act as a country that can balance the situation in the world.
“We don’t have to see each other as a binary opposition. On the contrary, we must be the pillar of global civilization. Islam and Russia must be viewed as two forces that complement each other and ensure the safety of the future of humanity”, - said Shamsuddin. According to him, the desire for dominance should be completely eliminated from the foreign policy of all countries. Building a better world requires changes that will not come overnight. “We have to think about all the next steps. It is very important that we build bridges between the Russian Federation and the Islamic world by preserving our values”, - the speaker concluded.
Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on issues of interaction with public and religious organizations Muzaffar Kamilov at the beginning of his speech, conveyed best wishes and great respect on behalf of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Miromanovich Mirziyoyev. The speaker noted the consistent development of mutually beneficial ties of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia in political, trade, economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres. “In various historical periods, Uzbekistan was one of the cultural and educational centers that promoted the principles of generosity, tolerance and moderation. The principle of moderate Islamic teachings and generosity, introduced into the minds of students of the Tashkent Islamic Institute and the Arab World madrasah in Bukhara, created the foundation for the formation of such major religious figures and ulemas, former graduates of these higher educational institutions, as Hazrat Ravil Gainutdin, Hazrat Talgat Tadzhuddin, Akhmad Kadyrov, Allahshukur Pashazade. I want to say with great confidence that today the new Uzbekistan has vast experience in ensuring the mutual coexistence of representatives of different nations and religions on the path to common noble goals”, - Kamilov emphasized.
“Today, dear forum participants, undoubtedly, in the current conditions of globalization, our urgent tasks are a deep study of the religion of Islam and its foundations from primary sources, bringing its humanistic and peace-loving essence to the general public. From this point of view, this forum serves as an important bridge in calling its Muslim ummah for peace and harmony, development of cooperation in the economic, political, social and humanitarian sphere”, - Kamilov said and expressed confidence that the ongoing forum will play an important role in the revelation of Islam as a religion of enlightenment, generosity, moderation, harmony and peace. In conclusion, the speaker wished all participants long life, good health, family well-being, high results in scientific activities and success in the work of the forum.
Advisor to the Secretary General of the World Islamic League and Representative of the League in Russia, Ahmad Faisal Elyssef, in his speech conveyed the message of Dr. Muhammad Abdul-Hamid Al- Isa, who is the Director General of the representative office of the World Islamic League.
“We are now in the midst of creating a multipolar world, and we are acting to strengthen our common values. We are fighting for the development of a strategic partnership based on mutual respect and the inadmissibility of double standards. Since the middle of the last century, fruitful bilateral international relations began to develop. Of course, there are certain retreats and failures along this path, but there is also a clear movement forward. And the violence we see in the world cannot continue.
As for Islam, it is certainly a religion that promotes the development of civilizations, and it is a religion that has been directed to the whole world. Religious organizations and representatives of different religions must coordinate their activities and unite their efforts on the path to world peace. And we in the World Islamic League strive to overcome the differences in views that exist between us, so that they do not harm our common interests and our struggle in the name of true human rights, in the name of the values of different religions. This was recorded in the famous African Declaration, which put forward those provisions with which representatives of various religions agree.
We must be wise and use the experience that has accumulated in overcoming the contradictions that exist in this world. And in this sense, we must pay special attention to the Russian experience, where representatives of different religions live in complete harmony and agreement, where there is true partnership, and everyone shares common goals of achieving a happy future for the entire Russian people. Where both the leadership and the people strive to ensure that there are no splits, no conflicts. And in conclusion, I would like to say that the World Islamic League supports initiatives to develop and further strengthen cooperation and relations between Russia and the Islamic world. There shouldn't be any problems in this relationship. We must show solidarity for the sake of the interests of all humanity. And we must act in a way that is consistent with the laws that Allah Almighty has revealed to us. I wish our noble assembly success”, - the message says.
Head of the Department of Eurasian Countries of the Office of Religious Affairs of Türkiye Salih Gör, on behalf of the entire Religious Administration and its Chairman, Dr. Ali Erbaş, wished Russian Muslims, who number more than 25 million people, every success. “Our President, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that sincere cooperation between Russia and Türkiye benefits not only our two peoples, but also all of humanity, because Russia and Türkiye represent historically unique and very numerous civilizations. Representatives of different nations coexist in these civilizations, and the basis of these civilizations is justice”, - the speaker said. Gör also emphasized the need to respect common religious values and shrines, which will contribute to making the world comfortable for all people.
“We believe that the close relationship between our administration and the Russian Religious Administration of Muslims is a very important cooperation. The work of the Group of Strategic Vision is also one of the important channels for strengthening the connection between Muslims and Christians, between Muslims of Russia and Islamic countries”, - the speaker concluded.
Also at the end of the session, representatives of the countries of Bangladesh and Tunisia asked to speak, expressing solidarity with the speeches of the session participants and hope for the development and deepening of dialogue between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world.
Concluding the conference, Deputy Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” Farit Mukhametshin, who moderated the meeting, noted that initially 16 participants signed up for the meeting, but in the end 27 spoke. For this reason, some speakers had to speak briefly.
The meeting of the Group traditionally brings together politicians, scientists, public figures, and religious leaders from many countries of the Islamic world, which confirms the Group’s status as a sought-after international intellectual platform. “Our meetings and discussions are always a reflection of the most important processes in world politics of the 21st century in all their completeness and complexity. And the Russian side will certainly take into account the positions of other countries regarding their commitment to the ideas of multipolarity and at the same time will continue to respect their own paths of development within the framework that forms a new vision of our joint future”, - concluded Mukhametshin.