ISLAMIC ACADEMY OPENS IN RUSSIA’S TATARSTAN

Bolgar, Tatarstan, 30  Dzulhijjah 1436/13 October 2015 (MINA) – An Islamic academy has opened in the UNESCO world heritage Site of the Bolghar historical and archaeological complex in the Tatarstan Republic of the Russian Federation on Thursday with the goal of raising Islamic scholars for Russian Muslims, Daily Sabah news agency reported.

The Bolghar Islamic academy was opened at a ceremony with the presence of Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Turkey’s Kazan Consul-General Turhan Dilmaç, Religious Affairs Secretary of Turkey’s Moscow Embassy Dursun Aygün, Chief Mufti of Russia and Head of the Central Muslim Spiritual Directorate Talgat Tadzhuddin, President of Russia’s Muftis Council Rawil Gaynutdin, Tatarstan’s Mufti Kamil Samigullin and other religious leaders.

The academy will offer six-month Qur’an courses. The Bolghar historical and archaeological complex went under restoration and was included on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site List last year.

“The new academy will raise Islamic scholars not only for Tatarstan, but also Russia’s other Muslims,” Minnikhanov said, according to International Islamic News Agency reports as received by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Dilmaç said two religious lecturers have been sent from Turkey to give Qur’an courses at the academy.

“We are pleased with their efforts. Bolghar will remain both a historical, educational and religious city,” he said.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Aygün said Qur’anic recitation courses will be extended and offered to religious staff in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan and other parts of Russia.

An international conference was held with the theme of “Religious view of Muslims on the concepts of nation, religion and civilization.” (T/Imt/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)