The opening ceremony of the exhibition "Heritage of the Bulgars" dedicated to the 1100th anniversary of the official adoption of Islam by the peoples of Volga Bulgaria was held in the building of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. The exhibition was prepared by the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Council of Muftis of Russia with the assistance of the Fund of Support of Islamic Culture, Science and Education. The ceremony was attended by First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Religious Board of Muslims Rushan Abbiasov, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Andrei Yatskin, Deputy Head of the Department for Cooperation with Religious Organizations of the Russian President's Domestic Policy Directorate Almaz Faizullin, Federation Council senators, including Deputy Chairman of the Council on Foreign Affairs, Deputy Chairman of the GSV "Russia - Islamic World" Farit Mukhametshin, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Andrei Denisov, Senator Irek Yalalov, as well as the head of the Russian Hajj Commission Hizbula Asuev.
Passing the words of greeting on behalf of sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council to the audience, Rushan Abbiazov said: "I sincerely thank Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko and the entire office of the Federation Council and senators for their help in organizing this exhibition. It is important for us to show unity of our multi-ethnic and multi-religious society". He also underlined that within the framework of the program of events, dedicated to the 1,100th anniversary of the official adoption of Islam by the peoples of Volga Bulgaria, various exhibitions, conferences and other cultural and educational events are organized, new mosques are founded and historical Islamic objects are reconstructed and unique ethnographic works are published thanks to the support of the president of the country at the federal level. Rushan hazrat noted that Russia has never had any conflicts or wars on religious grounds throughout its more than 1000-year history.
Andrei Yatskin greeted the organizers and guests of the exhibition on behalf of Valentina Matviyenko, Chairman of the Federation Council, and stressed that the opening of the exhibition "Heritage of the Bulgars" is a momentous event not only for the Federation Council, but also for the whole country. "More than 20 million people in our country are followers of Islam and these citizens have protected, are protecting and will protect and defend the national interests of Russia always, everywhere and in everything," said Andrei Vladimirovich. He thanked mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin and the organizers for making it possible to open this exhibition in the walls of the Federation Council.
The exhibition through archeological finds, pictures of mosques and events tells about the unique Muslim culture formed in the Volga region, between the Volga and Kama rivers. Medieval travelers left evidences about Volga Bulgaria - the land of cities, a crossroads of trade routes, the closest neighbor of Ancient Rus. The presented artifacts give a glimpse into the centuries-long life of the northernmost Muslims. The exposition is mobile and can be displayed in different regions of Russia.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from the websites of the Council of Muftis of Russia and the Federation Council