Experience of Tatarstan will be demanded in dialogue of civilisations

October 25, Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev, being on pre-election leave, met with representatives of Muslim communities of the republic in the RT Muslim religious office (MRO). This traditional gathering before the sacred month Ramadan brought together Chairman of the RT MRO mufti Gusman khazrat Iskhakov, chief kazyi of the RT MRO Gabdulkhak khazrat Samatov, chairman of the council of ulems of the RT MRO Ramil khazrat Yunusov, imams of mosques, et al. Discussed were the problems of Muslim congregations, the number of which today exceeds a thousand in Tatarstan, and Muslim education.

Mintimer Shaimiev answered the questions of republican and Russian mass media. Inter alia, questioned about the assessment of the new step of Russian government concerning Moslem, M.Shaimiev noticed that Muslims of the country perceive this step positively. President Vladimir Putin, taking into account multinationality, multiconfessionality of the Russian Federation, has made a political important step, having taken part in the X session of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). I think that it is very necessary for Russia, and not only for Russia, Mintimer Shaimiev noted. The Islamic world as a whole benefits from it. Tatarstan has got a wonderful experience of centuries-old friendship of two dominant denominations - Orthodoxy and Islam. They found consent. Even when the political situation at the beginning of perestroika years became aggravated, spiritual leaders of both the confessions flew right. They always called people for peacefulness, endurance, listening to each other. Today, when the question is dialogue of cultures, civilisations, this experience may be demanded, Mintimer Shaimiev concluded.