Address of Dr. Halit Eren, Director General, OIC Research Centre for

Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), at the opening of the international conference on “Russia and the Muslim World: Partnership for the Sake of Stability”

(Moscow, 24 September 2009)

Excellencies, honourable delegates and participants,

I am honoured to greet you on the occasion of the conference on Russia and the Muslim World. First of all, I would like to congratulate the organizers, in particular the Russia Muftis Council, for convening this conference. Under the approval of the President of the Russian Federation H.E. Dmitry Medvedev, this foresighted initiative encompasses a vast array of fields of present and prospective relations between Russia and the Muslim world. Thus the concerned governmental, scholarly and religious circles and institutions are provided with a multidisciplinary platform where they can discuss matters of common interest and possibilities of cooperation between Russia and the Muslim world, which is at the same time a contribution to global cooperation and stability.

Relations between Russia and the Muslim countries have a long and complex history. Each of these two worlds covers rich mosaics of nations and communities. … Each of them shelters the heritage of rich diversities of historical experiences of the various national and faith communities in its realm. Relations that have taken place over history between different communities from these two worlds is part of the common heritage of Russia and the Muslim world today, as exemplified in the cultures of the Muslim populations of Russia. This heritage constitutes an objective reference on one of the most relevant areas for the purpose of the conference, that is, Russia’s and Russian Muslims’ experience within an environment of multi-faith and multi-cultural coexistence. From 19^th century onwards, both worlds were influenced by emerging currents of thought and trends of modernisation, especially in the scientific, cultural and educational fields, and different drives of Europeanisation. These brought new currents of thought in theology and literature, among other fields. Intellectuals of Russia and of the Muslim world, specifically the OttomanState, followed each others’ works. Modern times brought new modes of relations. Throughout the bi-polar period in world politics barriers of various kinds have obstructed the development of relations. After the dissolution of the blocs, since the 1990s the world saw an unprecedented growth in communications and interdependencies which affected relations between nations and communities of Russia and the Muslim world positively.

The initiative taken by H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin and the continuing policy under H.E. President Medyedev to broaden Russia’s relationship with the Muslim countries reflected an awareness of the realities and requirements of the 21^st century in terms of international relations. Presently, around the globe, parallel to extensive exchanges in trade, energy, investments and other areas of finance and economy, the existing channels of exchanges are increasingly re-activated and new avenues opened in various cultural, scientific and educational fields. In the present time, culture together with economy constitute principal channels of relationship and cooperation.

In this environment, developing correct and constructive mutual understanding between peoples assumes crucial importance. Such an understanding will certainly help strengthen cooperation in other areas as well. An effort to develop mutual understanding between the cultures of Russia and the Muslim world, which scholarly initiatives such as the present conference represent, engages reflection and work over a large gamut of issues.

In this regard, there are some key questions which research in the related disciplines can help to answer. What is the image of the cultures of Russia and the Muslim world in each other’s views and perceptions? What are landmark events in the respective histories of these peoples that form their respective images? Who are eminent figures in each other’s histories? In the eyes of various Muslim peoples, what are identifying features of Russian civilization, and vice versa, in the eyes of peoples of Russia, what are the main traits of Muslims and their cultures?

These aspects of cultural and dialogue studies come directly within the fields of interest of IRCICA, the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, of the Organisation of Islamic Conference. IRCICA is an inter-governmental research centre that represents 57 Member States in the field of culture.

For more than a decade now this Centre has implemented projects jointly with the cultural authorities and academic institutions of the Russian Federation and its Republics and some of the former Soviet republics.

I can say that through joint activities IRCICA on one hand and the universities and cultural institutions of the Russian Federation on the other have conducted efforts on the scholarly level to develop understanding and cooperation between Russia and the Muslim world. For example, some history books published by IRCICA were translated and published in Russian in cooperation with Russian universities. Three congresses on “Islamic Civilisation in Volga-Ural Region” were held in Tatarstan in 2001 and 2005 and in Bashkortostan in 2008. Within the framework of this program of congresses we had the pleasure of cooperating with the Oriental Institute of the RussianAcademy of Sciences, Ufa Science Centre of the RussianAcademy of Sciences, the Union of Orientalists of the Russian Federation, and various other academic institutions.

These collaborative projects highlight at the same time the diverse regional histories of the interaction between Islam, Christianity and other faith traditions in the various regions of the Russian geography and the Muslim geography.

I would like to take this opportunity to underline the importance of specifically one area in which the usefulness of efforts cannot be overstated. I believe that education, especially university post-graduate education can be helpful in increasing correct awareness between peoples of Russia and the Muslim world about each other. Post-graduate assignments aiming to impart students correct knowledge of the different faiths and to teach the histories of nations and communities other than their own can be multiplied. Chairs can be established in universities of Russia and the Muslim world to promote research on each other’s history and culture. I would like to conclude by reaffirming IRCICA’s readiness to contribute to activities in these and other areas that would serve towards realizing the aims of your august conference.

Before concluding, I would like to warmly congratulate Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, Chariman of Russia Muftis Council, on his 50^th anniversary, and wish Mufti Gaynutdin continuous success and happiness. I warmly greet you all, sincerely thank the organisers and wish success to the meeting.