An extraordinary session of the Tatarstan State Council of the fourth convocation will be held on August 3.

Tragic events that happened in Kazan on July 19 made parliament members break off their traditional holidays. “We must quickly and adequately react to the incidents,” State Council Chairman Farid Mukhametshin stressed opening the session.

Head of the parliament reminded that President of Tatarstan characterized attacks on Muslim leaders as “unprecedentedly cruel and impudent.”

“I think it is a serious warning which confirms that there are forces in republic willing to destabilize the situation and ruin the atmosphere of trust and harmony that has settled in Tatarstan,” Farid Mukhametshin said.

According to Head of the parliament, law enforcement agencies are taking decisive steps to find criminals. He noted that any discussions about theological and religious theories and practices had never caused such open violent opposition before.

“It is absolutely unusual for our social and political culture. Therefore, we must make legal, moral and political assessment of the happening processes,” Farid Mukhametshin said.

“As for the Muslim ummah of our republic, development and increase of the number of religious institutions have been accompanied by lack of qualified imams, followers of Islam traditional for Russian Muslims. Attention to personnel, substantive-methodological part of this work was reduced that seemed to be so favourable for certain forces, including those from abroad,” State Council Chairman noted.

Two issues are suggested for consideration at the extraordinary session. Deputies will discuss information about the current state and measures aimed at prevention and counteraction to religious extremism in Tatarstan, and consider the bill “On making amendments in law of the Republic of Tatarstan “About freedom of conscience and religious associations.”

The composition of invitees will be considerably enlarged. Heads of traditional confessions, presented in Tatarstan, chiefs of municipal regions, city districts and all large religious centers were invited to the session (190 people).

In accordance with decree of the State Council Presidium, live television and radio broadcast will be provided in connection with social importance of the problems discussed.