Rustam Minnikhanov and Mintimer Shaimiev have addressed the participants of the Izge Bolgar zhiyeny
On 21 May Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, the State Counselor of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev , the Chairman of the State Council of the republic Farid Mukhametshin, the regional Deputy Prime Minister – the Chairman of the National Council of the World Congress of Tatars Vasil Shaykhraziyev and representatives of various confessions took part in a traditional ceremonial event the Izge Bolgar zhiyeny held in the Ancient town of Bolgar, and which this year is dedicated to the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria.
Speaking at the event, Rustam Minnikhanov stressed that the 1100th anniversary is the remarkable event both for Tatarstan and Muslims of Russia and the whole world. He said that by the decree of the Russian President, the anniversary date is widely celebrated at the state level with large events planned and the number of them have already been held in Kazan these days.
Tatarstan President gave special emphasis to the Chief Mufti of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin who one of the first started the idea of annual assembly of Muslims on the sacred land of Bolgar. Minnikhanov expressed special thanks to Mintimer Shaimiev and the Revival Foundation for their huge work in restoration of the Islamic shrines.
“All these made it possible for Muslims of Tatarstan, Russia and our guests to see the level at which 1100 year ago our ancestors adopted Islam. I would like to express my gratitude to each of you. For us is a great joy that you are here with us today. This raises the image of our sacred place Bolgar,” Minnikhanov said to participants of the assembly.
Then the guests listened to welcoming telegrams from Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of the country Mikhail Mishustim and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Addressing the participants of the event, Mintimer Shaimiev said that in 2014 the Bolgar Historical and archeological Complex was inscribed into the UNSECO World Heritage List. Experts from all over the world have acknowledged that Bolgar is the site of voluntary adoption of Islam in the northernmost territories. “This is our common success and well deserved result of joint work. I express my thanks to everybody who took part in it. Rebirth of the Ancient Town of Bolgar proved to the whole world that we are people who take care of our historical heritage”, the State Counselor underlined.
The Chairman of the Central Muslim Spiritual Board, the Chief Mufti of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin, the head of the Russian Muslim Spiritual Ravil Gaynutdin, the Chairman of the Russian Muslims Spiritual Assembly Albir Kirganov, the Chairman of the Coordination Center of Muslims of the North Caucasus Ismail Haji Berdiyev, the Chairman of the Tatarstan Muslims Spiritual Board Kamil Samigullin and the Metropolitan of Kazan and Tatarstan Kirill also congratulated the guests of the celebrations.
After the end of the ceremony, Rustam Minnikhanov, Mintimer Shaimiev and other honorary guests took part in a joint afternoon namaz at the Cathedral Square.
Later the same day Tatarstan President attended the final fights of the Belt Fight Koresh 2022 World Cup held with participation of 160 fighters from 26 countries.