On April, 25 RT President Rustam Minnikhanov held meeting with participants of extended session of International council of public associations “World congress of Tatars” that was dedicated to 125th anniversary of the poet G.Tukai.

The event was also attended by Chairman of RT State Council Farid Mukhametshin, RT Deputy Prime Minister Zilya Valeeva, Chairman of executive committee of “World congress of Tatars”, Chairman of International council of public associations “World congress of Tatars”, Deputy of State Council Rinat Zakirov, heads of republican ministries and agencies, deputies of republican parliament and representatives of Tatar public organizations from Russian regions and abroad, about 200 people, by and large.

According to Rinat Zakirov, representatives of Tatar public organizations from 41 Russian regions and 11 countries from all over the world gathered in Kazan. He briefly told about activity of World congress of Tatars.

All participants of the meeting noted the importance of occasion on which the event is held - 125th anniversary of great Tatar poet Gabdulla Tukai.

Professor of Helsinki University, Chairman of Tatar society of Finland “Islamia” Okan Daher noted that despite we live far from historical motherland of Tatars, “Tukai is in our souls”. “It is the great merit of Tukai that we managed to preserve Tatar spirit. He appeared to be the great uniting power”, - Okan Daher emphasized.

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov warmly greeted representatives of Tatar public organizations from Russia and abroad. He noted that today much emphasis is put on issues of support and maintenance of national education, culture of Tatar people and its consolidation. Rustam Minnikhanov believes that single Tatar communities in countries and regions serve as powerful help for solving many problems.

RT President underlined that Tatars should know their native language and religion plays an important role in preserving the language and national traditions, thus much attention should be paid to preparation of staff for working in the sphere of religious education.

Rustam Minnikhanov noted that Tatars is the second most populous ethnic group in Russia and they are to be united. He asked the gathered people for solving problems together, working closely with World congress of Tatars and Federal national-cultural autonomy of Tatars.
He wished participants of the session successful work and handed state awards of the Republic of Tatarstan to the most distinguished.

See more http://www.tatar-inform.ru/news/2011/04/25/267708/