Mintimer Shaimiev presented a lecture about Tatarstan in Saudi Arabia

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev gave a lecture about Tatarstan in the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The President started his 80-minute speech with an overview of the republic, its geographic position and population. He emphasized that Tatars make 3.8 percent of the Russian population. He also spoke about the history of the Tatar people, the origin of Bulgars, adoption of Islam in 922.
Mintimer Shaimiev draw attention to the fact that there are some wrong conceptions about Tatars as descendants of Mongols who established a two-century yoke in Ancient Russia. He quoted surahs from the Qur’an.
Then, the President focused on the industrial and economic potential of the republic, education and culture.
The bigger part of his speech was dedicated to religious education. Mintimer Shaimiev said there are a few television programmes about Islam in Russia. “The problem of religious education is topical in Russia. The state admits that religion is separated from it, but where should we teach ABC of morals and culture? Besides, we lack experts in this sphere”, the President marked.