President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov took part in opening of II All-Russia forum of Tatar religious figures “National identity and religion”. RT Chairman of State Council Farid Mukhametshin, Chairman of executive committee of World congress of Tatars Rinat Zinnurov, Chairman of RF Council of muftis Ravil Gainutdin took part in forum opened in G.Kamal theatre.

II forum of Tatar religious figures “National identity and religion” is being held in Kazan on June 15-18 on the threshold of 1122-anniversary of Islam adoption by Volga Bulgaria. The event is organized by Department for interaction with religious associations under RT President, Commission for religious issues of executive committee of World congress of Tatars and RT Religious Board of Muslims.

First forum of Tatar religious figures was held in September 2010 with participation of 730 delegates. This year 845 people from 50 RF regions take part in the event.

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov addressed with welcoming speech to participants of the forum at a plenary session. He noted that many problems which are of interest to Muslim clergy and RT national-cultural organizations and government were discussed in 2010. “Many of them were solved during the year. I hope this forum will also favor constructive discussion of problematic issues and map out guidelines of developing Muslim community and Tatar nation”, - Rustam Minnikhanov said.

By words of RT President today we have to realize that spiritual values, national identity, culture and language of Tatar people may be preserved and increased only by joint efforts, using all resources. Rustam Minnikhanov reminded that the Department for interaction with religious associations under RT President was created in order to strengthen attention of the government towards religious issues.

Lately considerable changes have happened in life of Muslim ummah of republic. The special congress of Muslims was held at which new mufti of RT was elected.

“The role of Islam in preserving national values is urgent for all Muslim organizations. Speaking about fate of Tatar nation we always mean religious values and point out that Islam serves as a consolidating factor for our people”, - Rustam Minnikhanov stressed.

Rustam Minnikhanov thanked participants of the event for their activity on developing Islam and handed several letters of gratitude of RT President.

Chairman of RF Council of muftis Ravil Gainutdin addressed delegates with welcoming speech. He thanked Tatarstan authorities and World congress of Tatars for organizing the forum pointing out the importance of this event.

On June 16 plenary sessions will be held within the frameworks of forum, on June 17 participants will continue working in sections and on June 18 delegates will visit ancient city of Bolgar and take part in celebrations dedicated to 1122-anniversary of Islam adoption by Volga Bulgaria.