Solemn ceremony of opening Commemorative sign dedicated to official adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgars in 922 takes place in ancient Bolgar
21 May 2012, Monday
Solemn ceremony of opening the Commemorative sign dedicated to official adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgars as a state religion in 922 was held at the historical-architectural reserve museum in Bolgar today (Spassky municipal region, the Republic of Tatarstan).
President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev, Chairman of State Council Farid Mukhametshin, religious and public figures took part in the event.
Head of republic Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated guests and participants of the ceremony on such an important date. He thanked everyone involved in emergence of the Commemorative sign on the ancient land noting the contribution of “Agrosila Grupp” and “Akibank”.
State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev said that all ideas of the republican leadership had been realized. He addressed words of gratitude to everyone who took part in implementation of the project using their creative approach.
Mintimer Shaimiev granted the certificate of the Guinness Book of World Records to management of the museum indicating that the world’s biggest Koran will be placed here.
Rustam Minnikhanov and Mintimer Shaimiev handed Books of benefactors and Letters of gratitude of the Tatarstan President. Live broadcast of the event was available online (on the official portal of RT Government www.prav.tatarstan.ru).
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The world’s biggest printed Koran was brought to Bolgar from Kazan. Before, it had been kept in Kul Sharif Mosque. The unique sacred book was made by the Italian masters for Tatarstan at the end of 2011. The same date the Committee of the Guinness Book of World Records recognized it the world’s biggest printed edition of the Sacred Muslim scripture. Pages of the sacred book are made of the Scottish paper and decorated with malachite, semiprecious stones, fianite, jasper, gold leaf and silver.
On 17 March, speaking at a meeting of the State Council of the republic, where its Chairman Farid Mukhametshin declared his early termination of powers, Tatarstan State Counselor Mintimer Shaymiev said: “Mutual respect and deep understanding help to preserve high trust of our people.”
On 13 March the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the State Counselor of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev accompanied by the regional Mufti Kamil Samigullin took part in the XIV Iftar of the republic organized by the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Tatarstan, the administration of the Ak Bars Arena stadium and the national tourist complex Tugan Avylym (My Native Village) at the Kazan Expo Exhibition Center.
On 20 January in the evening Russian President Vladimir Putin called Tatarstan State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev and congratulated him with his birthday. During the conversation Vladimir Putin stated that he is happy to hear bright voice of Mintimer (Sharipovich) and wished him good health and all the best.
On 20 January, congratulating Tatarstan State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev with his birthday, the Chairman of the Russian Government Mikhail Mishustin wrote in his telegramme: “Being a famous and political leader, you have made a substantial contribution into modern development of Tatarstan and have earned the deep respect and gratitude of residents of the republic.