III All-Russia Forum of Tatar religious figures opened in Kazan

III All-Russia Forum of Tatar religious figures «National originality and religion» has opened in Kazan.

The Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, RT State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev, RT State Council Chairman Farid Mukhametshin, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Chairman of the Central Muslim Religious Board Talgat Tadzhutdin, Chairman of the executive committee of the World congress of Tatars Rinat Zakirov, the Tatarstan Mufti Ildus Faizov attended the opening ceremony.

The Tatarstan President said that over 900 imams from 55 Russian regions have gathered at the forum held in Kazan for the third time.

According to the RT President, the forum of Tatar religious figures is a good event to discuss problems faced by the Tatar religious figures. “Most of our compatriots live outside Tatarstan. In such a difficult situation we have to preserve our language, religion, culture, and traditions. Today we are going to discuss all these issues,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

The President also noted that Tatarstan is always in a close dialogue with compatriots living outside republic. By his words, Tatar people enjoy deep respect abroad.

Finishing the speech, Rustam Minnikhanov wished participants of the forum successful work and handed several awards to religious figures.

The State Counselor Mintimer Shaimiev said that efforts on religious revival and unification of representatives of the Tatar nation bring results. He also told about the project of the Bolgar revival saying that religious figures would be able to see its results at the event «Izge Bolgar zhieny».

The OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu greeted the audience on behalf of states-members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. He said that Tatarstan makes a great contribution in development of the Islamic world.