The RIW Group has launched a monumental reference book on Islam in Russia on Wednesday. The presentation took place at the Russian International Affairs Council in Moscow.
The book authored by Alikber Alikberov, Vladimir Bobrovnikov, and Alfrid Bustanov focuses on the emergence of religious schools, practices, communities since the 7th century onward. The research relies on manuscripts by people in the North Caucasus, Volga and Urals Region and Western Siberia.
In his opening remarks, RIW Group Coordinator Veniamin Popov said the book came as a response to the request by the Russian Foreign Minister.
THE BOOK WAS PENNED UPON THE REQUEST BY RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEY LAVROV WHO FLOATED THE IDEA DURING HIS SPEECH AT THE DIPLOMATIC ACADEMY ON FEBRUARY 27, 2017:
“The Russia – Islamic World strategic vision group was set up and dialogue between civilizations plays a central role in its operations. It pursues a series of interesting projects like the History of Christianity in the Middle East, and the History of Islam on Contemporary Russian Territory.”
“These are important aspects of our shared history because Christianity in the Middle East and Islam in contemporary Russia are not imported ideologies. Christians have lived in the Middle East for two thousand years, just like Muslims in Russia. We understand like nobody else the need for peace between religious and different ethnic groups, and the need to understand each other’s values. We promote dialogue along these lines with Europe. We have a lot of experience and we are ready to share it,” the minister said.
Konstantin Shuvalov, Russia’s Ambassador-at-Large, shared his impressions of the book.
WHAT I LIKED MOST WERE THE EARLY EPISODES IN THE HISTORY OF ISLAM IN RUSSIA.
Renowned Russian diplomat and Middle East expert Andrey Baklanov praised the effort.
I GOT IMMENSE PLEASURE OUT OF READING THE BOOK. THE VERY NAME SOUNDS GLOBAL SO THAT EXPECTATIONS WERE QUITE HIGH. I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THE BOOK IS WELL-STRUCTURED AND BALANCED.
Mufti of the Russian Muslim Religious Board Albir Krganov said it is a insightful source both for Russian Muslims and representatives of other religions.
THERE ARE SOME 20 MILLION MUSLIMS IN RUSSIA, AND SUCH BOOKS ARE VALUABLE FOR MUSLIMS AND OTHER BELIEVERS. THEY NEED TO GET THE RIGHT INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM.
Wassim Khalil Kalaajieh, public and political figure and member of the RIW Group expressed appreciation for the work done by the three authors.
THE BOOK IS QUITE RELEVANT TODAY. IT DOCUMENTS THE HISTORY OF RUSSIAN MUSLIMS AND THEIR CULTURE. THE RESEARCH PROVES RUSSIA HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE MODEL OF ISLAM.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"