Rustam Minnikhanov: “Kazan does not claim to become the Islamic capital of Russia”

On May 27, talking with journalists after the plenary meeting of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia – the Islamic World", Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that Kazan does not claim to become the Islamic capital of Russia. 

“Kazan is Kazan, and we do not claim, there are other cities in Russia where our Muslim brothers live,” Minnikhanov commented.

He stressed that Kazan, however, has its specifics and unique history. First of all this is the KazanSummit international event aimed to debate applied issues in the field of economy and finance. “We began working locally in the interests of the republic. Today, this platform is active throughout Russia,” he noted.

According to Minnikhanov, the Islamic World needs to be united. “The form stipulated by Russia President Vladimir Putin, Strategic Vision Group "Russia – the Islamic World", is the platform that allows bringing our positions closer and demonstrating our work,” Tatarstan President continued to say.

“Nowadays Islam is associated with terror. But Islam has always been tolerant. We, representatives of Islam, need to come together and defend our positions,” he said.

He pointed out that a country as big as Russia is of great interest to the Islamic World.

Tatarstan President noted that that the next meeting is suggested to be held in Grozny, Chechnia. “It is a good opportunity to present our country, its diversity and tolerance,” Minnikhanov explained.