On June 14, notwithstanding rainy weather 30, 000 people came to Bolgar to celebrate “Izge Bolgar Zhyeny” dated to the 1125th anniversary of adoption of Islam in Volga Bulgaria.
Honoured guests at the event were Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, Chairman of Muslim Spiritual Board of Russia Talgat Khazrat Tadzhutdin, Chairman of the Russia Muftis Council, Chairman of Muslim Spiritual Board of the European part of Russia Ravil Gaynutdin, Chairman of Caucasus Muslim Board, Chairman of Muslim Consulting Committee of CIS Pashazade Allahshükür, spiritual leaders and scientific intelligentsia from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Belarus.
Before official celebrations Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov met with religious leaders in a conference hall at “Ak mechet” complex.
Later on the guests visited a Memorial located in Bolgar historical and architectural museum reserve, and the exhibition of Korans translated to 30 languages by Muslims from different countries.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Rustam Minnikhanov said that Muslim leaders from Russia, countries of the far and near abroad came to “Izge Bolgar Zhyeny”. He also thanked Mintimer Shaimiev, archeologists, sponsors, builders and spiritual leaders for work being done in Tatarstan on reconstruction of sacred places.
Chairman of Muslim Spiritual Board of Russia Talgat Khazrat Tadzhutdin, Chairman of the Russia Muftis Council, Chairman of Muslim Spiritual Board of the European part of Russia Ravil Gaynutdin, Chairman of Muslim Consulting Committee of CIS Pashazade Allahshükür also welcomed guests of the holiday.
Interactive expositions “Medieval crafts of Bolgar” were organized for participants of the event.
On 28 December the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov handed in the State Counselor of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev the Letter of Appreciation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On 20 December at his meeting with the Director General of the Grid Company of the republic Ilshat Fairdieyv in the Kazan Kremlin on the eve of the Day of the Energy Worker, Tatarstan State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev congratulated him not only with the holiday but also with 25th years of his work in the energy system of the republic.
On December 9, the State Counselor of Tatarstan, the Hero of Labour of Russia Mintimer Shaimiev congratulated Tatarstan residents on the Heroes of the Fatherland Day.
On 28 November in the Kazan Kremlin the Tatarstan State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev had a meeting with the First President of the Republic of Ingushetia, the Hero of the Soviet Union, the Russian state, military and public leader Ruslan Aushev.