R. LANDA, Doctor of Historical Sciences

TO THE RESULTS OF THE III ALL-RUSSIAN MUSLIM FORUM

In November 2007, under the auspices of the Council of Muftis of Russia and with the participation of its chairman Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, the Third All-Russian Muslim Forum was held in the conference hall of the Kosmos Hotel in Moscow, which continued the traditions of two earlier such forums. The first of them was held in Nizhny Novgorod on November 4-5, 2005 at the initiative of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Nizhny Novgorod region (DUMNO) and coincided with the establishment of a new state holiday in our country-National Unity Day on November 4. The coincidence is not accidental: Muslims also participated in the Nizhny Novgorod people's militia of 1611-1612, led by Kozma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky. The militia liberated Russia from foreign invaders and brought the country out of the Time of Troubles - these historical events, as we know, served as the basis for the establishment of a new state holiday. The second forum was also held in Nizhny Novgorod on November 3-4, 2006, under the slogan "Believers of Russia - for unity and civil harmony", demonstrating the increased desire of the Muslim community of the country for unity and strengthening of interfaith dialogue.

The Third All-Russian Muslim Forum was timed to coincide with the National Unity Day and the 90th anniversary of the All-Russian Muslim Congress, which was held in Moscow on May 1-11, 1917 and defended the civil and political rights of Muslims. ¹ Therefore, the Third Forum, consolidating the continuity of generations of the Russian Ummah, i.e., the community of adherents of Islam, in affirming the creative potential and honest service to the fatherland, put forward the slogan "Islam in Russia is the guarantor of Russian civil society".

FOUR "ANCHOR POINTS"

At the forum, facts were presented that indicate the practical implementation of this slogan in practice. In the past year alone, four organizations have been created-four unique "reference points" that are extremely important for the future fate of Islam in Russia. The first of them is the Foundation for Support of Islamic Culture, Science and Education, established in 2006 by the Council of Muftis and the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia, the International Islamic Commission, the Coordination Center of Muslims of the North Caucasus*, with the support of the Presidential administration and the government of the Russian Federation ². "From now on, the state and Muslim organizations," he said in this regard, at the forum, Damir Mukhetdinov, rector of the Nizhny Novgorod Islamic Institute named after Kh. Fayizkhanov, "in close cooperation, they will be able to identify priority tasks for the development of Islam, while simultaneously avoiding two extremes: financing extremist schools and imams and the flow of Ummah money into 'private pockets', as often happens with Arab and Turkish money." The Board of Trustees of the Foundation is headed by Academician E. M. Primakov ³. In 2007 alone, more than a dozen and a half Islamic centers and institutes of Islamic education in Moscow, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Ufa and other cities of the North Caucasus became grantees of the foundation.

In 2006, the Foundation for the Support and Development of Scientific and Cultural Programs was established. Shihabaddin Marjani, whose goal is to promote the activities of Muslims in the field of science and education, culture, art, and enlightenment ⁴. The Foundation (headed by Rustam Sultanov, a Tatar born in Uzbekistan), in accordance with its charter, aims to play "...a connecting role between Central Asian and domestic Russian cultures", as well as to attract Russian Muslim businessmen to cooperate. If this plan can be implemented, D. Mukhetdinov said at the forum, " We will be able to implement it...The Islamic organizations of our country will no longer have to go with an outstretched hand to the Arabs and Turks, because they will always be able to count on mutual understanding and support of their compatriots, fellow tribesmen and neighbors."

In 2007, the Imam Abu Charitable Foundation was established (mainly with the participation of business structures in Nizhny Novgorod).

* Coordination Center for Muslims of the North Caucasus-established in August 1998 by the spiritual leaders of the region to counteract the spread of Islamic radicalism.

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Hanifs. It was established in accordance with the resolution of the II Forum ."..to support educational projects and activities of young representatives of the Russian Muslim Ummah on the development of civil society"⁵. One of his main projects is financing the Medina publishing house in Nizhny Novgorod, as well as publishing a biography of Imam Abu Hanifa, the founder of one of the four main Sunni madhhabs (religious law schools), namely Hanafism, who died in 767. The Foundation contributed to the publication of the multi-volume edition "Hanafi Fiqh* in a new guise", the first volumes of the dictionary "Islam in the Russian Federation" and a new translation of the Tafsir (interpretation of the Koran) by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. According to D. Mukhetdinov, Executive Director of the Abu Hanifa Foundation, "this tafsir contains"...a very kind and tolerant Islamic theological view of individual surahs, verses and even words of the Koran." He believes that " ... the new Tafsir and other publications of the Abu Hanifa Foundation are being replaced and will soon be replaced... extremist books with a takfiri approach " ⁶.

Finally, on the very eve of the Third Forum, the Babakhanov International Foundation was established, 7 who for more than 50 years "... represented Islam in the Soviet Union"⁸. Its tasks are identical to those of the first three foundations, but with the main emphasis on paying tribute to the memory of outstanding representatives of the Babakhanov dynasty, who played a prominent role among the Muslims of Transoxiana, i.e., Central Asia. Events are planned to perpetuate their memory and scientific and practical conferences in Bukhara and Ufa, which should promote rapprochement between the Muslims of Russia and Central Asia.

THERE ARE MORE ISLAMIC MEDIA OUTLETS

The Third All-Russian Muslim Forum showed that the religious life of the Ummah in Russia is not limited to visiting mosques and holding traditional holidays, and that only in the time that has elapsed since the previous forum, tangible progress has been made in the life of the Muslim community of our country. In particular, new media outlets, information-analytical and research centers for studying the history and culture of Muslims in Russia and the CIS were created. With the assistance of the above-mentioned foundations, the publication of the Islamic doctrine magazine Minaret, the weekly All-Russian Muslim newspaper Medina al-Islam**, and the quarterly almanac Islam in the Modern World continued. The publication of the cultural yearbook "Mawlid an-nabiy" ("The Birth of the Prophet"), the literary and philosophical magazine "Rosary", the annual scientific and theological collection "Ramazan Readings", and the women's magazine "Golubushka"was launched. A website dedicated to the interaction of the state and Islam in the XXI century was opened. The Islamic Internet space is being developed on the basis of cooperation between Russian Muslim online publications within the framework of the Hanafi madhhab. Contacts have been established with Islamic information resources (islamnews.ru, islamrf.ru.)

Thanks to the activities of the Ansar***, Medina and other publishing houses, the number of printed publications aimed at improving the religious literacy of Muslims and promoting the formation of their unified scientific and cultural space has increased. For the first time at the International Book Fair 2007 in Moscow, a collective stand "Islamic Book in Russia" appeared, which aroused great interest not only among Muslims, but also representatives of other faiths. Executive Director of the Abu Hanifa Foundation D. Mukhetdinov, speaking at the final meeting of the forum, promised to turn the weekly Medina al-Islam into a daily Muslim newspaper.

A large-scale archaeological study "Material culture of the peoples of the Volga-Oka region in the Middle Ages: formation and development" has been launched. It will continue until 2012. It employs more than 100 Russian and foreign specialists.-

* Hanafi Fiqh is a school (tolk) of Muslim theology founded by Imam Abu Hanifa in the ninth century; approximately half of Muslims adhere to it.

** "Medina al-Islam" - the newspaper of Russian Muslims published since 2004, the official organ of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Nizhny Novgorod region. Published by the Imam Abu Hanifa Foundation; circulation-10-15 thousand copies.

*** Ansar is a Muslim publishing house in Moscow, named after the Ansars-supporters (or helpers) of the Prophet Muhammad.

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alistov. Their efforts have already prepared such reference publications as "Islam in Nizhny Novgorod region" and "Islam in Moscow".

The forum included the All-Russian conference "Muslims of Russia-with God, for the Motherland, in the world of high-tech". The choice of theme is not random. In September 2007, the weekly Madinah al-Islam stated: "Adherents of Islam abroad have long recognized the inevitability and benefits... high-tech - after all, high-tech itself has never scared Muslims... There are no contradictions between the technology and the content of Islam. " ⁹ At the same time, the newspaper complained about the apparently insufficient development of high technologies by Muslims in Russia, saying that the only exception is the Nizhny Novgorod publishing house "Medina". By the way, the work of this publishing house, including in the development of the latest modern publishing and printing technologies, was noted by the chairman of the DUMNO Umar-Hazrat Idrissov in his closing speech at the forum.

WHAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE SECTIONS

It would be easier to list the issues that were not discussed at them. Thus, the theological section discussed the general spiritual and moral foundations of the Abrahamic religions in Russia, issues of legal tolerance, the importance of studying the Koran and its interpretation, and the interaction of Islam and traditional religions in Russia. The main topic of the political science section was: "Islam is the key to the strategic stability of the Russian Federation." They discussed the place of Muslims in Russia, the changing role of Islam in the context of globalization, and the prospects for cooperation between Muslims and representatives of other faiths in a multipolar world.

The archaeological section was devoted to the latest discoveries that shed light on the early history of Islam in Russia. New data obtained by archaeologists will help historians better understand the history of Muslim peoples who have lived in Russia since ancient times. The Historical and Cultural Section chose "Interaction of Orthodox Christians, Muslims and Jews in the Russian socio-cultural space"as the dominant topic of its debates. Here, the main focus was on studying the contribution of Russian Muslims to the history of Russian statehood, the traditions of interethnic and interfaith cooperation in Russia, and the peculiarities of the process of joining the Russian state of Kazan Tatars, Bashkirs, Kabardins, and other Muslim or non-Orthodox peoples. Special emphasis was placed on the participation of the peoples of Russia in overcoming the troubles of the early 17th century. and the liberation of Moscow from foreign invaders. The role played by Muslims in the events of 1917 in Russia was also discussed. The importance of mutual penetration and mutual enrichment of Orthodox, Muslim and Jewish ethnic cultures (and ethnic confessions) in the process of their integration into the community of Russians at different stages of the historical path of this community was emphasized.

At the sessions of the sections, a very wide range of issues was raised and discussed - from the stay in Russia at the beginning of the XV century of the future Kazan Khan Ulu Makhmet and the version of Kozma Minin's origin from baptized Tatars (however, not confirmed by documentary sources) to the specifics of the Soviet government's policy towards Muslims in the 1920s-1930s. Previously unknown (but documented) facts were cited about the" pro-Muslim "and generally" pro-Eastern "position of Georgy Chicherin, who was previously traditionally considered a "Westerner", like the entire Bolshevik elite. The question was raised about the need for a more thorough study of the role of many Muslim figures, in particular, the famous Ossetian socialist Akhmed Tsalikov (Salikhov) and the classic of Tatar literature Gayaz Iskhaki in the revolutionary events of 1917-1918 in Russia.

During the forum, an exhibition and sale "Islamic Book of Russia" was held, where printed products of the Ansar and Medina publishing houses were presented, and the first Russian-language edition of Tafsir Ko was presented-

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the Rana of Abdullah Yusuf Ali and a number of books from the Hanafi Heritage series. The exhibition and sale featured, in addition to the previously mentioned publications, a very interesting collection "Sufism as a socio-cultural phenomenon in the Russian Ummah", which is a publication of the materials of the November 2006 conference. All-Russian scientific and practical conference in Kazan. It was organized by the Sh. Marjani Institute of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, the Russian Islamic University and the Imam Abu Hanifa Foundation.

Among other books, it is worth noting the fundamental (520 pages) monograph of Professor O. N. Senyutkina of the University of Nizhny Novgorod "Turkism as a historical phenomenon (based on the materials of the history of the Russian Empire in 1905-1916)" and an interesting study written by her together with the Kazan historian I. K. Zagidullin "Nizhny Novgorod Fair Mosque - a center of communication between Russian and foreign Muslims (XIX Damir Khayretdinov's "The Muslim Community of Moscow in the XIV - early XX centuries" and D. Yu. Arapov and G. G. Kosach's "Islam and Muslims based on the materials of the Eastern Department of the OGPU. 1926" also drew attention to extremely informative works. These books have been prepared for publication by the Medina Publishing House and related entities.

DECISIONS MUSLIM FORUM

The final resolution of the forum sets out the following tasks: "To develop mechanisms for the development of the Islamic community of Russia as an integral part of civil society;... promote the solution of the so-called "Islamic question" in Russia, which will ensure that the state and society as a whole recognize the role of Islam and Muslims in the life of our country, which fully corresponds to their contribution to the construction of our "common home" and the creation of mechanisms for realizing the potential of Russian Muslims in solving the main problems of the state... ensure the development of a platform for ideological and dogmatic unity of Russian Muslims... take a united, active and principled position of the Ummah in civil opposition to Islamophobia, religious extremism, terrorism and xenophobia... We will do everything possible to promote further constructive rapprochement between Russia and the Islamic world, and ensure the representation of the Russian Ummah in international Islamic organizations."

The Forum also considered it necessary to give a new quality to interfaith dialogue, especially interaction between Islam and the Russian Orthodox Church, and to this end, to form a Commission of Interfaith consent with the participation of representatives of the Islamic, Jewish and Orthodox communities, as well as state authorities. The forum participants took the initiative to establish a Ministry of Religious Affairs as an expression of recognition of the growing role of religious issues in the life of society and the State.

It was decided to convene the next IV Forum of Russian Muslims in Ufa, " ... significantly expanding the membership of the forum-

MUSLIM FIGURES MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE

Khusain Fayizkhanov (1823-1866) was a Tatar orientalist scholar, educator and public figure, archaeologist, linguist and historian. He compiled a file of Arabic manuscripts at the Asiatic Museum in St. Petersburg. Author of the project of Europeanization of education of Russian Muslims.

Marjani Shihabaddin (1818-1899) was a famous Kazan theologian, educator, historian, and religious reformer. Author of many works on the history of Volga Bulgaria and the Kazan Khanate, on religious philosophy and pedagogy. A harbinger of Muslim modernism (Jadidism) in Russia.

Abu Hanifa al-Numan (699-767)-the greatest theologian of medieval Islam, "al-Imam al-Azan" ("the greatest imam"). He developed a system of Muslim law (fiqh).

Akhmed Tsalikov (1882-1928), also known as Salikhov or Tsalikkaty , was an Ossetian Menshevik who was one of the leaders of Russian Muslims from 1917 to 1918. In 1920-1921, he joined the separatists of the North Caucasus, then - in exile.

Iskhaki Gayaz Gilyazetdin (1878-1954) - a classic of Tatar literature, a public and political figure close to the Social Revolutionaries. In 1907-1913 he was persecuted by the authorities. In 1917-1919. He advocated the national and cultural autonomy of the Volga Turko-Tatars. Since 1919 - in exile. His works were highly appreciated by M. Gorky.

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names and scale of the event", and to dedicate it to the 230th anniversary of its creation in 1788. Orenburg Mohammedan Spiritual Assembly - the first self-governing body of Muslims in Inner Russia and Siberia ¹⁰. It was also decided to establish closer cooperation with the Muslims of the Republic of Uzbekistan and take part in their scientific conferences.¹¹

Thus, the III All-Russian Muslim Forum demonstrated the achievements and revealed the shortcomings of the current development of the Islamic community in Russia. The achievements include the activation of Muslim structures in the media and publishing industry, the development of modern technologies and the persistent desire to intensify and fill the interfaith dialogue in the country with new content, as well as to involve the Muslim business of Russia in solving these issues.

As for the shortcomings, these are, first of all, the vagueness and lack of certainty of the ideological and moral positions of some Muslim media (recognized by them), the vagueness of a number of ideological and dogmatic interpretations of the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith, the lack of coherence in the activities of various geographical centers of the Russian Ummah.

Muslim organizations of Nizhny Novgorod have taken the initiative to hold All-Russian Muslim forums aimed at developing a unified position of the Muslims of our state on both religious and dogmatic and socio-political issues, raising the overall level of their socio-culture and its modernization, as well as steps to restore friendly ties with co-religionists of the CIS countries that have a long tradition, undoubtedly, it meets the interests of the Russian state.

¹ The 1917 All-Russian Muslim Congress was attended by about 900 delegates from the Caucasus, Crimea, the Volga region, and Central Asia. The Congress supported the national and cultural autonomy of the Muslim regions of Russia and elected a Temporary Spiritual Administration of Muslims headed by Mufti Galimjan Barudi.

² Islam in the modern world. N. Novgorod. 2007, N 2 (8), p. 4.

³ Ibid.

⁴ Medina al-Islam, N. Novgorod. 2007, N 16(40).

⁵ Madinah al-Islam... 2007, N 16(40).

⁶ Islam in the modern world ... p. 4.

⁷ For more information about the Babakhanovs, see Minaret N. Novgorod, 2007, N 2-3. pp. 77-91.

⁸ Madinah al-Islam... 2007, N 16 (40).

⁹ Medina al-Islam.... 2007, N 11 (35).

¹⁰ Orenburg Mohammedan Spiritual Assembly (OMDS) - founded in 1788 as the Ufa Spiritual Mohammedan Spiritual Assembly (UDMZS), since 1796. Orenburg Spiritual Assembly of Mohammedan Law (ODMZS), in 1846-1917 - OMDS. A collegial body responsible for the affairs of Muslims in Inner Russia and Siberia. It consisted of three assessors-kazis (judges )and a chairman-mufti, appointed by the Russian authorities.

¹¹ Resolution of the III All-Russian Muslim Forum " Islam in Russia-the guarantor of Russian civil society "(distributed to delegates and guests of the forum).

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