THE IMPORTANT FACTOR OF CONSOLIDATION AND SPIRITUAL RENAISSANCE OF THE SOCIETY

M.G.Rahimov,

The President of Republic Bashkortostan

The questions discussed at the international conference «Russia and the Islamic world: partnership for the sake of stability», are actual for our multinational and multiconfessional country and its regions. Especially for Bashkortostan which is the northern periphery of the huge Muslim world.  We carry out verified and effective state policy. It is directed on strengthening international and interconfessional mutual understanding and the consent, friendship and constructive cooperation of the people and traditional religions. We highly appreciate the contribution of Muslims, and also representatives of other religions in joint activity on society consolidation, preservation and augmentation of religious, moral and cultural values.

We have our fertile, invaluable experience of collective life of the Eurasian people and constructive interaction of various cultures, faiths and traditions during many centuries. Our republic as you know was the first national form in Russian Federation. The republic still plays the important role in modern development of federalism in Russia. There is no antagonism between traditional religions in Bashkortostan. On the contrary, friendliness and a mutual respect, readiness for cooperation, dialogue and mutual enrichment of cultures prevail.  

Islam expansion, our spiritual brotherhood has deep, centuries-old roots. Its beginning concerns to a boundary of the first and second millennia. The really unique civilization, original model of all Russia was born on the richest, fine open spaces of Southern Ural. It has passed through many uneasy tests.

The problems and inquiries of believers are met with the big understanding and concern in Bashkortostan. We intend to support creation of favorable conditions for followers of the traditional religions which are inseparably linked with destiny of our corner of the world and all country. We are convinced that the Russian Federation should remain the secular state where family relations between all people, religions and cultures prevail. Where people irrespectively of a nationality and belief should have the equal rights and possibilities to satisfy the religious and cultural requirements. It is necessary to appreciate and protect all that unites us without artificial policy in religion!

Nowadays five Muslim educational institutions operate in the republic territory. The largest one is  the Russian Islamic university of Riza Fahretdinov, the assignee well-known medrese "Galija". It is one of five Russian Islamic higher education institutions. In Ufa work also medrese a name Medrese of Marjam Sultanova and "Galija" operates in Ufa, «Nur al-Iman» - in Sterlitamak, medrese «Nur al-Islam» in Oktyabrskoe. They closely co-operate with the Bashkir State Pedagogical University of Miftahetdin Akmulla. We welcome work spent that will assist graduates to receive state standard diplomas in religious educational institutions.

By creating conditions for satisfaction of national, religious and cultural needs of people, the republic assists to educate the patriots of motherland and feel pride of the general great cultural heritage. Some religious special days, such as Easter, Uraza and Kurban-bajram are state holidays.

The religion serves to general consensus, ennoblement of public relations and religious self improvement. It is very good that during taking decision of fatal questions for the country we hear voices of our religious figures. They are penetrated by responsibility for our Native land, for the world and happiness of people, for well-being of each person.

The stored valuable experience is worthy and necessary to following generations. I am sure that such approach meets the policy of revival of great Russia. I think that only by basing on fundamental values, supporting aspiration of citizens to spiritual and moral self-improvement, we will achieve progress and we will provide the worthy future of Fatherland!