Rustam Minnikhanov: “I’m sure that Muslim clergy of RT will continue to preach high moral values”

“Spiritual heritage of Tatarstan Muslims should be carefully preserved, studied and developed”, - RT President Rustam Minnikhanov declared at V special convention of Tatarstan Muslims. The event took place in G.Kamal theatre with participation of Chairman of Russian Council of muftis Ravil Gainutdin, Chief Advisor of RF President Administration Aleksei Grishin.

The key topic of convention was elections of new Chairman of the Muslim Religious Board of Tatarstan Republic - mufti of RT. The post was vacant since January 2011 when former mufti Gusman hazrat Iskhakov tendered his resignation.

President of Tatarstan greeted participants of convention personally and on behalf of RT State Council, republican Government.

Rustam Minnikhanov noted that Tatarstan is proud of its achievements in the sphere of inter-confessional and inter-ethnic relations. “I’m sure that Muslim clergy of RT will continue to preach high moral values of unity, peace, good and creation”, - R.Minnikhanov declared.

Head of republic reminded that a lot had been done for establishment of Muslim ummah since the time of conducting first convention of Muslims and formation of single religious board in Tatarstan.
According to Tatarstan President the current convention is an important event in life of Muslim society. Further development of Muslim ummah of republic will depend on decision made at the convention.

R.Minnikhanov noted that today religious renewal sets new tasks for local self-government authorities. RT President is sure that Tatarstan Muslims would represent republic in a good manner during Universiade-2013 and demonstrate that Muslims, Christians and other confessions respect religious world view of each other.

Rustam Minnikhanov invited all Muslims of Tatarstan to take part in restoration of shrines in Bolgar.

Chief Advisor of RF President Administration Aleksei Grishin greeted participants of convention and wished fruitful work. He noted that Muslim Religious Board of Tatarstan is one of the key boards in Russia.

First deputy and acting mufti of religious organizations of Tatarstan Ildus Faizov was appointed to the post of Chairman of Muslim Religious Board of Tatarstan for the next four years.

Chairman of Russian Council of muftis Ravil Gainutdin congratulated Ildus Faizov on this event and wished success on new post. R. Gainutdin emphasized that Muslim Religious Board of Tatarstan is one of the most important Muslim organizations in Russia. “We thank RT President Rustam Minnikhanov and first President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev for preserving heritage of Muslims in the region and whole Russia. You are the example for other regions. We pray Allah for sending down success and good luck”, - R. Gainutdin said.

Participants of convention elected First deputy Chairman of Muslim Religious Board of Tatarstan – Dean of Shariah faculty of Russian Islamic university Gabdulla hazrat Adygamov.

Delegates also voted for some alterations in the Charter of Muslim Religious Board of RT.