Mintimer Shaimiev meets Jean-Pierre Chevènement

On October 3, at the Kazan Kremlin, Tatarstan State Counsellor, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Revival Foundation Mintimer Shaimiev had a meeting with Special Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France for Development of Relations with Russia, Head of Foundation for Islam in France Jean-Pierre Chevènement.

Prior to the meeting Shaimiev had told his guest about the cultural-historical project “Cultural Heritage: Ancient Town of Bolgar and Island Town of Sviyazhsk” and show him stands about the work the Revival Foundation has done in these ancient towns. Near the model of the first Russia's Islamic Academy, which is under construction in Bolgar, State Counsellor told about the history of the establishment of the academy aimed to educate top official religious figures who would have profound knowledge, good standing and ability to persuade and confront extremist movements.

Jean-Pierre Chevènement noted that France is facing similar problems because citizens from Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco  have been moving to France over the last few years. As a result, Muslims make about 8 per cent of population in the country. Therefore, there is a need for talking about features of Islam and teaching imams in France, he continued. "Now we have to carry out a long-term work in this area. That is why I am here. We have a lot to learn from Tatarstan. You have great experience of inter-religious and inter-confessional harmony, which is known all over the world," he stressed.

"To ensure mutual understanding between people in a multi-ethnic France is not an easy task, but somebody has to do it. We are open for cooperation,” Shaimiev noted.

Then he briefed about successful social and economic development of Tatarstan, which is based on mutual understanding and friendship between peoples living in the republic.

The meeting also discussed exchange of experience in the sphere of inter-confessional cooperation.