Rustam Minnikhanov takes part in the ninth All-Russian Forum of Tatar Religious Figures

On July 20, at the Korston Entertainment Complex, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the plenary session of the ninth All-Russian Forum of Tatar Religious Figures.

This year, the forum gathered over 1100 delegates from 69 Russian regions and 28 foreign countries.

Welcoming the participants of the Forum, Minnikhanov emphasized that the venue of the event had proved its efficiency: the participants have the opportunity to discuss pressing issues of Islam, culture and traditions of the Tatar people.

“We have met in a similar format for the ninth time. Today, there is recovery and development of Islam in Russia. Great changes have taken place over the past 30 years, serious work is being done. At the moment, there are over 4,000 mosques in Russia, including 1,500 of them in Tatarstan,” Tatarstan President said.

Minnikhanov stressed that the Tatars are the second largest nation in Russia. Tatar religious figures make a great contribution to the preservation of interethnic and interfaith peace and harmony in the country.

Then Minnikhanov handed in state awards of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, Chairman of the Milli Shura National Council Vasil Shaikhraziev, Chairman of  Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars Rinat Zakirov, Chairman of the Central Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of  Talgat Tadzhuddin took part in the Forum. Rector of the Russian Islamic Institute Rafik Mukhametshin was the moderator at the Forum.