Tatarstan is the brightest example of interreligious cooperation, temples of different traditional religions coexist everywhere. The statement was made by Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, speaking at the meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World" themed "Russia - Islamic World: traditional spiritual and moral values as a basis for interreligious cooperation." The event took place in the Kazan Town Hall as part of the XIV International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum".
The rais reminded that in late 2022 the priority development of Russia's relations with the countries of the Islamic world was first spelled out in the concept of foreign state policy. The document stressed that Russia seeks to strengthen relations with Muslim countries in all spheres, including strengthening traditional spiritual and moral values, development of interethnic and interfaith dialogue and combating Islamophobia. The most important factor in further strengthening relations is having similar approaches on key issues of international policy. Russia is a multinational state with unique experience of dialogue between traditional religions. One of the brightest examples of interreligious harmony is Tatarstan, where temples of different traditional religions coexist everywhere.
"I am confident that this meeting will contribute to the further strengthening of traditional spiritual values and contribute to intensifying the fight against Islamophobia, xenophobia, extremism and terrorism," Minnikhanov stressed.
The rais reminded that 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of Russian President Vladimir Putin's landmark speech at the Organization of the Islamic Conference ( now Organization of Islamic Cooperation) summit in Malaysia. It was then that Putin proposed to bring relations between Russia and the Islamic countries to a new level. Subsequently, Russia received observer status at the OIC. Minnikhanov noted that the next meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world" will be held in Malaysia.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: official website of Rais RT