Meeting of Strategic Vision Group “Russia – the Islamic World” held in Bolgar

On May 26,   Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev took part in a meeting of the Russia - Islamic World Strategic Vision Group held in Bolgar. 

Shaimiev told distinguished guests about the work of the Russia - Islamic World Strategic Vision Group from 2006 to 2009 when together with Tatarstan President Mitimer Shaimiev the group was co-chaired by a diplomat, widely known to the Islamic world, Chairman of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Yevgeny Primakov.

At the beginning of the meeting, participants were shown a film about the Bolgar Islamic Academy, the construction of which started on May 21 this year. Shaimiev told participants about its objectives and tasks.

Shaimiev noted that people want to learn and know their religion. "We dreamed of the times when it would become possible to restore our holy places. Due to perestroika in our country, no matter how difficult it was, the constitutional right of every person to worship was restored in the early 90s. This is a great achievement, we needed it,” he said.

Shaimiev pointed out that Tatarstan Muslims and orthodox Christians have lived in Tatarstan for centuries. "People live in peace, and there is mutual understanding. It is important to find the inter-ethnic and inter-confessional understanding. And this is possible,” he said.