Rustam Minnikhanov meets Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hissein Brahim Taha

On 12 March at their meeting in the OIC office in Jidda (Saudi Arabia) the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, who came to the country on a working visit, and the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hissein Brahim Taha discussed the forthcoming International economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum”. 

Rustam Minnikhanov told that Tatarstan actively works with such structures of the OIC as the Islamic Development Bank, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the OIC Youth Forum and the Islamic World Academy of Sciences.

“With the support of President of our country Vladimir Putin the forum has got the federal status and this year it will comprise about 200 various events. We will be sincerely happy to see you as the forum guest of honor,” he said and handed in the Secretary General an invitation to the forum. 

Rustam Minnikhanov said that an intention of Russia to join the OIC as an observer, expressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Malaysia 20 years ago, gave impetus to a great process of cultural and civilizational drawing together of our country and the Muslim world. “We are planning to hold next meeting of the Strategic Vision group in Malaysia,” he concluded. 

In his turn Hissein Taha said: “In the end of the last year I had a very successful visit to Russia. Inshallah I will come to the forum. We are brothers with you and will always support you”. 

Speaking about economic cooperation of the OIC countries with Russia, Rustam Minnikhanov said that Tatarstan attaches great value to developing trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian contacts with Muslim countries. “Through the example of Tatarstan we are trying to set up practical mechanisms of interaction with the Islamic business as there are great possibilities for developing Islamic economy, in particular Halal food, Halal tourism and Halal medicine,” he said. 

The Rais of Tatarstan informed that the Kazan Hockey Cup - the first hockey tournament among 15 Islamic countries held within the programme of the Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum in Kazan in January resulted in establishment of the Organization of Development of Hockey in Islamic countries, the aim of which is to promote healthy life style among children and youngsters by developing hockey. 

After the parties discussed prospects of participation of the OIC as a co-founder or a partner in development of this sphere, the OIC Secretary General said: “We attach great attention to the youth. Your work is very close to us and we are ready to consider your proposals and start work on them.”