On May 26, conference “Interreligious dialogue and traditional values in the era of global challenges” was held at the Bolgar Islamic Academy within the framework of the international Bolgar forum “Theological heritage of Muslims in Russia”.

The conference was attended by more than 40 delegates from 12 regions of the Russian Federation, as well as such near and far abroad countries as Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Yemen and the UAE.

According to the rector of the Academy Farkhat Khusnutdinov, the importance of the issues discussed at the conference was due to the need to analyze the role of global processes in the transmission of centuries-old values and in the preservation of the socio-cultural code of the nation.

“Throughout the history of our country a model of good-neighbourly relations between religions and peoples is being built, which today is an example for the international community”, – stressed the Rector of the Academy.

Speaking about the experience of the Bolgar Islamic Academy, Farkhat Khusnutdinov noted the activities of the center for interreligious dialogue, which is a unique platform for broad interaction between representatives of scientific, educational, cultural and religious organizations. The staff of the center is tasked with monitoring and holistic study of interreligious relations, taking into account international experience and global challenges of our time.

“The challenges of modernity point to the need to unite the efforts of the state and the scientific and academic community in this matter. I am sure the conference will contribute to unlocking the potential of educational and religious organizations in consolidating our society,” the rector concluded.

First deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Nationalities Ildar Gilmutdinov, head of the department for interaction with religious associations of the department of internal policy of the Republic of Tatarstan Albert Dirzizov, head of the department for monitoring the state of interethnic and interfaith relations addressed the participants with welcoming words, Preventing Extremism and Interaction with Religious Associations Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs of Russia Abdulgamid Bulatov, Chairman of the Expert Council of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia on Interaction with the Islamic World Hieromonk Grigory Matrusov, deputy Head of the department of National Policy and Interregional Relations of Moscow, head of the department for relations with religious organizations Konstantin Blazhenov, permanent representative of the Republic of Tatarstan in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region Rinat Valiullin, and first vice-rector of the Moscow Patriarchate for interaction with the Islamic world Konstantin Blazhenov.   

The conference included two sections – “interreligious dialogue in the educational and enlightenment space” and “the role and importance of interreligious dialogue in the formation of a new world order”, as well as a round table “institutionalization of interreligious dialogue: Russia’s experience”.

In their speeches, the speakers paid special attention to the theological analysis of Islamic primary sources that reveal the conceptual understanding of the problems of interreligious dialogue, shared their experience of practical work in this direction, and also discussed the importance of forming a common space of peace and good-neighborliness, promoting tolerance for the cultural traditions of the peoples of the world.

The conference also included a presentation of an informational and analytical report “the role of interreligious dialogue in the development of higher religious education in the Republic of Tatarstan”, prepared jointly with representatives of the Kazan orthodox theological seminary.