Mintimer Shaimiev meets with publisher of the world’s largest Quran Nedyan Bratashevets
10 July 2014, Thursday
On July 10, Tatarstan State Counsellor, Revival Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Mintimer Shaimiev met with Director General of the ARC Group’s printing house (Italy) Nedyan Bratashevets, who arrived in Kazan to take part in a conference of the Association of Russian Publishers.
The world’s largest Quran was printed at the ARC Group’s printing house in 2011 and put on public display in Bolgar at the building of the memorial in honor of the official adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgars in 922.
The Quran was published under the auspices of the Regional foundation for revival of Tatarstan historical and cultural monuments on the initiative of Board Chairman of OAO “AKIBANK” Ildar Galyautdinov and Director General of OAO “Grid company” Ilshat Fardiev.
Before the meeting, Aide to Tatarstan President, CEO of Revival Foundation Tatyana Larionova told the guests about the project "Cultural heritage of Tatarstan: the ancient city of Bolgar and island town of Sviyazhsk" and the work of the foundation, done to implement it.
Mintimer Shaimiev thanked the guest for a unique work. "This Quran made at your printing house means more than just a work of art for us. When making the book, you considered all our good intentions. Not only the book, but also the history of its creation is unique. While being on the road to Tatarstan, the Quran was recognized by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation as the cultural value, and was given a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, " he said, adding that Bolgar historical and archeology museum, where the Quran is located, was included in UNESCO World heritage List in June.
Mintimer Shaimiev presented letters of gratitude of the Rivaval foundation to Nedyan Bratashevet and Vice-president of the Russian Book Union, founder of OOO "TD Papyrus - Stolitsa" Ilyas Muslimov, who took an active part in the creation of the Bolgar copy of the Quran.
On May 14, the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre hosted a solemn reception marking the opening of the Year “Kazan – Cultural Capital of the Islamic World” and the holding of the XVII International Economic Forum “Russia-the Islamic World: KazanForum”.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin, Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova, Director General of the Islamic World, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Salim bin Mohammed AlMalik and other officials were among the honored guests of the evening.
On 26 April, during festive events dedicated to the Native Language Day and the 140th birthday of the great Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukay, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the State Counselor of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev laid flowers to the monument of the great Tatar poet.
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.