Rustam Minnikhanov: “Creation of Bulgar Islamic Academy will consolidate positions of peace-loving Islam”

On October 8, at a plenary session of the International research and practice conference "Muslim theological thought: national, religious and civilizational dimensions" in Bolgar, Tatarstan, President of the republic Rustam Minnikhanov said that today national religious education does not enable to deal with current challenges, therefore, we need to establish a major scientific, educational and spiritual center that will consolidate positions of Russian Muslim leaders and foreign distinguished scientists, and traditional Islam.

Outstanding theologists, representatives of scientific and expert community, Muslim leaders from Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Irak, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan are taking part in the conference.

Earlier on the same day, a 6-month course for enhanced learning of Quran opened at the Whiter Mosque in Bolgar.

The international conference and opening of the course are the start of the project of Bulgar Islamic Academy that was initiated by Tatarstan leadership and supported by Russian President and main Muslim organizations in Russia.

Rustam Minnikhanov thinks that the academy should become a place for meeting, studying, and revival of the rich Tatar theological heritage, and popularization of hanifite teaching and the most tolerant religious legal school.

“I am sure that the creation of the academy will consolidate positions of peace-loving Islam as an essential part of Russian statehood, also within the framework of the "Russia-Islamic World" strategic vision group that the country’s leadership entrusted me to chair,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

Head of the Federal Agency for Nationality Affairs Igor Barinov, State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, Chairman of the Central Muslim Spiritual Directorate Talgat Tadzhuddin and Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Council of Muftis in Russia took part in the plenary session.