Rustam Minnikhanov: Events on the occasion of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria are aimed at the cohesion of Muslims in Russia
On January 12, at the Kazan Kremlin, speaking at an extended meeting of the Regional Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of the 1100th anniversary of the official adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that events on the occasion of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria are aimed at the cohesion of Muslims in Russia, showing the close interrelationship between the interests of society and the state in the revival of the traditional values of the Muslim peoples of the country.
State Counsellor of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaymiev, Chairman of the State Council of Tatarstan Farid Mukhametshin, Deputy Head of the Internal Policy Department of Russian Presidential Administration Anatoly Vylegzhanin, Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia, Executive Secretary of the Federal Organizing Committee Olga Yarilova and representatives of state and municipal authorities, heads of centralized religious organizations took part in the meeting.
Before the meeting, a solemn ceremony of launching the writing of the manuscript (Mushaf) of the Noble Quran took place at the Kul Sharif Mosque.
Opening the meeting, Minnikhanov said that in accordance with the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria is held at the state level. Last year, a federal organizing committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Marat Khusnullin was established.
Minnikhanov emphasized that the event, which took place 1,100 years ago, is of great historical importance for Russia. The adoption of Islam as the state religion by the Volga Bulgaria in 922 largely predetermined the formation of a unique Russian civilization, uniting the traditions of the West and the East.
A draft logo for the celebration of the anniversary was also introduced to the meeting participants. Tatarstan President proposed to approve the logo and submit it to the federal organizing committee. He also said that the main task for today is to preserve traditional values of Islam.