I. Metshin: "In terms of preserving international peace experience of Kazan is unique"

(Kazan City KZN.RU, April 20, Zilya Gayfi). VI session of Kazan City Duma chaired by Mayor Ilsur Metshin began with the discussion on creating an environment of stable interethnic and interreligious harmony in Kazan today in the City Hall. The first deputy head of the Executive Committee Damir Fattakhov told about the implementation of the municipal program to strengthen civil accord in the 2014-2018 years.

He noted that more than 115 ethnic groups live in Kazan, there are 35 national-cultural organizations, 172 religious communities. In the higher educational institutions of the city more than 7000 representatives of different nations are learning. Every year the number of foreign nationals arriving in the city is growing. In Kazan there are 116 religious objects, including 58 mosques, 43 Orthodox churches, 12 churches of other Christian denominations, one synagogue, houses of worship of Krishna and Bahai. "Today we are seeing attempt to divide people on national, confessional or racial grounds, provocation and strengthening of extremism around the world. In these circumstances, we need to work even harder to strengthen inter-ethnic and inter-religious peace and harmony. To work not for show, not for the record – but to strengthen the base of the foundation on which today prosperity and harmony of our society builds", - Fattakhov emphasized.

Today Kazan residents live within walking distance of places of worship, and work on the construction and reconstruction of houses of worship will be continued. At the end of last year after the reconstruction Galeev mosque at st.Tukay and Duhososhestvenskaya church at st.T.Minnullin opened their doors for believers. In just the past 5 years, 13 new temples have been built in Kazan, three were carefully restored.

In Kazan conditions for training and education of children in their native language are created in schools and kindergartens. "In the 2014-2015 academic year work was profiled in 25 national offices of the Center of Education "Multinational Sunday School", where the children of the Armenians, Ukrainians, Mari, Chuvash and other nationalities are taught in their native language. From September 2013 in 7th grade “Lessons of friendship and harmony" were organized and carried out for the students on the basis of the House of friendship of the peoples of Tatarstan”, - the director of the House of Peoples' Friendship of RT Irek Sharipov told.

It should be noted that the stability of inter-ethnic and inter-confessional relations in Kazan is  by the results of the poll. Representatives of the major faiths expressed their opinion about international relations in Kazan. Metropolitan of Kazan and Tatarstan Feofan called the decision of Tatarstan President's on the establishment of the Bulgarian Academy of Islam and the reconstruction of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan bold. "Together with the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Tatarstan we have mapped out a plan to hold a joint Orthodox and Muslim children and youth camp" – he told about the plans.

Chief Mufti of Tatarstan Kamil Hazrat Samigullin noted that in terms of preservation of interethnic consent Kazan has a positive experience that need to be replicated. "We live in turbulent times. However, Tatarstan is an example for other regions. Kazan is unusual city in a global context, showing how temples and mosques peacefully coexist. This is a significant achievement that we must promote around the world", - the mufti said.

Chief Rabbi of Tatarstan Yitzhak Gorelik stressed that ethnic peace is dependent on the contribution of each resident. "Together we must create a spiritual image of the city, to instill in children tolerance and respect for those who is not like you from childhood. It is necessary to develop a national communities, thus forming a respectful attitude towards members of other religions and nationalities", - the rabbi said.

Ilsur Metshin noted that the preservation of international peace is one of the most pressing issues against the backdrop of global conflict. "As President of our country, Vladimir Putin said, any responsible politician and public figure should be aware that one of the main conditions of the stabile country is the existence of a international consent. In Tatarstan we are really understand and respect each other. And it is our greatest wealth. Huge work to strengthen international peace is conducted in the city, it is the moral will of our multiethnic people - to live in peace and harmony. Kazan's experience in this regard is unique. Nevertheless, special attention to these issues is required. Turning to our residents, I want to say that it is our duty - to teach children to appreciate, preserve and develop the traditions of all peoples, representatives of which live in our city. This is the best vaccine against any manifestations of extremism", - the Mayor concluded.