Rustam Minnikhanov takes part in a festive iftar at “Ramadan Pavilion” in Moscow

The evening of the Republic of Tatarstan and a festive iftar took place on August 9 within the framework of the Moscow annual cultural and charitable project the “Ramadan Pavilion”. The Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov attended the event. By and large, about 300 guests were present at the event, including prominent politicians, cultural and art workers, famous doctors and scientists of the capital, representatives of Russian and CIS republics.

“Good evening, dear Muslims, my fellow believers! I congratulate you on the holy month of Ramadan. I am glad to see you at the evening of Tatarstan at the “Ramadan Pavilion” that has become a traditional holiday in Moscow. I wish you health, prosperity, God’s help in all your good deeds,” Rustam Nurgalievich said.

Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia Ravil Akhmetshin, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council Rushan hazrat Abbyasov, Deputy Chief of the Department of interregional cooperation, national policy and relationships with Moscow religious organisations Yuri Nuzhdin, Chief of the RT presidential department for interaction with religious organisations Marat Gatin and other official and religious figures took part in solemn opening of the event.

Rushan hazrat Abbyasov congratulated the attendees on the holy month of Ramadan, conveyed good wishes on behalf of Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council Ravil Gainutdin and thanked officials of the Tatarstan authorized representative office in Russia for organisation.

“Such events help making people aware of culture and traditions of different nations, it is so important for our multi-ethnic and multi-million country. Allah says that he created different nations and tribes so that we would become familiar with each other, and all believers are brothers,” Rushan hazrat said.

Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council reminded about tragic events happened in Tatarstan that darkened the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. “Those events caused a turmoil in a Muslim community. No one expected that this could ever happen in the central part of Russia, in a republic with stable economic, political and social spheres. The Russian Muftis Council has made several announcements which say that Muslims, being true believers, cannot commit such an awful sin. We must call for peace, harmony and stability in our multi-ethnic and multi-confessional society. These holy days we pray God for not facing such misdeeds again in our country and in the world,” Rushan hazrat Abbyasov said.

Ravil Akhmetshin thanked everyone for finding time and opportunity to attend the festive iftar of the Republic of Tatarstan. The plenipotentiary reminded that a monument to the hero poet Gabdulla Tukai would be unveiled in the Russian capital and a festive concert dedicated to the Day of the Republic of Tatarstan would take place on August 24 this year.

Ravil Kalimullovich thanked Moscow authorities and the Department of interregional cooperation, national policy and relationships with Moscow religious organisations for supporting organization of such events.

Deputy Chief of the Department of interregional cooperation, national policy and relationships with Moscow religious organisations Yuri Nuzhdin said that the Moscow Government had always supported such activity, noting that Moscow and Tatarstan are united by special relationships.
Marat Gatin stressed the importance of holding events like the “Ramadan Pavilion” where people of one religion and different cultures come together.

General of the Army Makhmut Gareev; Kamil Iskhakov; academician of the Russian academy of sciences, Director of Shirshov Institute of oceanology Robert Nigmatullin with his family; doctor of medicine, neurosurgeon Ali Bekyashev; presenter of “Musulmane” (“Muslims”) TV program Dinara Sadretdinova; Makhmut Rafikov, the only operator who photographed Yuri Gagarin just after landing; representatives of authorized representative offices of the Ingush Republic, Karachai-Cherkess, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Bashkortostan were among guests of the Day of the Republic of Tatarstan.

“Ramadan Pavilion” is the annual cultural charitable campaign organised by the Russian Muftis Council in the Russian capital with partnership of the Moscow Government. For seven years it has become a national symbol of diversity of the Muslim world, its cultural wealth and the center of multi-ethnic and multi-confessional communication. The pavilion is installed every year near the Moscow Memorial Mosque on Poklonnaya Gora. This year it is opened for the evening iftar, the evening meal when Muslims break their fast, till August 18. About 600 people have come here every day since August 6.