Kazan Seminary hosts special session of “Russia – Islamic World” Strategic Vision Group

DECR Communication Service, 15/05/2026

On 14^th May 2026, a special session of the “Russia – Islamic World” Strategic Vision Group took place at the Kazan Theological Seminary. Its topic was “Religion and Culture – Civilisational Dialogue.”

Taking part in the meeting were: Metropolitan Kirill of Kazan and Tatarstan; Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; Grand Mufti of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin; Mufti Albir Krganov, Head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia; Mufti of Tatarstan Kamil Samigullin; Mr Marat Gatin, Assistant to the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Deputy Chairman of the “Russia – Islamic World” Strategic Vision Group, Executive Director of the Foundation for Strategic Dialogue and Partnership; Mr Mikhail Melekh, Special Representative of Russia’s Foreign Minister for International Cooperation in Ensuring the Right to Freedom of Religion; Mr Mohamed Elamin of the Muslim Council of Elders; Sheikh Senusi, member of the Supreme Islamic Council of Algeria; as well public and political figures of the Republic of Tatarstan and participants in the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: Kazan Forum 2026.”

Metropolitan Kirill greeted the guests who had arrived in Kazan in the joyous Paschal season. The head of the Tatarstan Metropolia expressed hope that the meeting of the Strategic Vision Group would help deepen an understanding of the role of religious organizations in Russia in preserving its peoples’ spiritual and cultural heritage and in promoting dialogue of civilisations amid growing international instability and in view of an emerging multipolar world order.

Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov greeted all those present on behalf of Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations. As the DECR Deputy Chairman pointed out in his address, the Kazan Orthodox Theological Seminary, which hosted the session, had been successfully implementing a unique master’s degree programme entitled “Orthodox Theology: Confessional Islamic Studies.” “Preparing specialists who have profound knowledge both of their own theological tradition and of theology, culture and history of Islam is not just an academic project, but a notable contribution to further strengthening trust between Orthodox Christians and Muslims,” Father Igor said.

Among the participants in the special session were DECR staff members – Hieromonk Grigory (Matrusov) and Priest Andrei Titushkin.

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Kazan Seminary hosts special session of “Russia – Islamic World” Strategic Vision Group

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons