On 10 October, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Bolgar Islamic academy and the international Islamic university Malaysia at the residence of the spiritual administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation in Moscow. The signing ceremony took place within the framework of a meeting between the chairman of the spiritual administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Council of muftis of Russia, mufti sheikh Ravil khazrat Gainutdin, and the delegation of the university headed by Rector Dzulkifli bin Abdul Razak.

The meeting was also attended by rector of the Bolgar Islamic academy Farkhat Khusnutdinov, first deputy chairman of the spiritual administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, rector of the Moscow Islamic institute Damir Mukhetdinov, deputy chairman of the spiritual administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, mufti of the Moscow region Rushan khazrat Abbyasov, vice-Rector for scientific activities of the Academy Ruslan khazrat Tagirov and others. University of Malaysia was represented by rector Dzulkifli bin Abdul Razak, vice-rector for scientific and academic cooperation, professor Ahmad Fariz and a number of other responsible officers.

“The spiritual administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation is the founder of the Moscow Islamic institute and the Bolgar Islamic academy. Therefore, I am particularly pleased to be present at the signing of a memorandum between the international Islamic university Malaysia and our two educational and scientific centres,” Mufti, Sheikh Ravil khazrat Gainutdin, said during the signing ceremony.

Rector of the academy Farkhat Khusnutdinov thanked Ravil khazrat Gainutdin for the opportunity to sign the memorandum at a high level and invited the rector of the international Islamic university Malaysia to visit the Bolgar Academy on his next visit in order to get acquainted with the scientific and educational activities of the academy in more detail. Farkhat Khusnutdinov also assured professor Dzulkifli bin Abdul Razak that he will make every effort to ensure that the memorandum of mutual assistance will contribute to the achievement of the tasks facing the system of Islamic education.

The meeting also included the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the international Islamic university Malaysia and the Moscow Islamic institute. The document was signed by the rectors of the institutions of higher education: professor Dzulkifli bin Abdul Razak and Dr. Damir Mukhetdinov.

Rector of the university of Malaysia Dzulkifli bin Abdul Razak thanked sheikh Ravil khazrat Gainutdin for the opportunity to pray in one of the beautiful mosques of Russia.

“We are proud of the level of Islamic development we have seen here. Previously, we could not even imagine that we would be able to co-operate with Russia in the field of Islam. During our three-day visit to Russia, we had time to visit Moscow state institute of international relations, the university in Dagestan and saw that we can learn a lot about Russia and Russian Muslims,” said the rector.

Within the framework of the signed memorandum between the educational institutions, it is planned to strengthen co-operation in the field of basic and supplementary education, develop scientific and cultural projects, and exchange scientific and teaching staff. The cooperation will also allow the Bolgar academy and the international Islamic university Malaysia to jointly develop scientific and educational programs.

For reference: international Islamic university Malaysia is a public non-profit university in Malaysia and sponsored by eight governments and the organization of Islamic cooperation (OIC).

The university was founded on 23 May 1983 on Islamic principles. University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees through 14 faculties and departments. Currently the university has more than 24,000 students.