Kazan (UNA) – The Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik, stressed that common values and principles represent the true basis for cooperation and understanding between the Russian Federation and the Islamic world, noting that the relationship between the two sides has its roots in centuries past and is based on continuous civilizational, cultural and human interaction.
This came in a speech he delivered during the Strategic Vision Meeting “Russia – Islamic World” 2026 in Kazan, under the title: “Common values and principles are the basis of cooperation and understanding between the Russian Federation and the Islamic world.”
The owner explained that the relationship between Russia and the Islamic world, in its historical dimension, surpasses many of the relationships within the Islamic world itself, indicating that this relationship has been established since the early centuries of Islam, and has continued to develop and deepen through various historical stages.
He pointed out that geography played a pivotal role in shaping this rapprochement, as cultural overlap and geographical proximity contributed to building a highly sensitive and important geostrategic space, giving the relationship between Russia and the Islamic world a unique character that goes beyond the traditional dimensions of political and economic exchange.
He explained that the cultural communication between the two sides has not been interrupted, but rather has witnessed mutual influences in various fields of human activity, until Russia has become an active participant in the political, economic and social movement within the Islamic world, in a model that reflects the sustainability of this relationship and its continuous renewal.
The Director General of ISESCO affirmed that the convergence of values contributes to reducing the distances between peoples, and that the openness of cultures to each other gives the world a greater ability to understand and coexist, and reduces the severity of conflicts, stressing that nations do not preserve their status by force alone, but by the wisdom and human values they possess.
Dr. Al-Malik spoke about the city of Kazan, which holds the title of Capital of Culture for 2026, describing it as a model of cultural diversity and civilizational coexistence, where minarets and domes stand side by side, and languages and cultures abound in a shared human space.
He explained that ISESCO views culture as a bridge for rapprochement between nations, and education as a tool for building a more open future, stressing the organization’s keenness to build partnerships with Russian intellectual, cultural and scientific institutions, believing in the importance of civilizational dialogue in consolidating human awareness and promoting understanding between peoples.
He also expressed his delight at cooperating with the Republic of Tatarstan in establishing a joint award named after the Tatar poet and thinker Abdullah Tukay, in recognition of his literary and intellectual contributions and his role in promoting human and aesthetic values.
In closing, the owner reiterated his thanks to the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tatarstan, and the organizers of the conference, appreciating their efforts in promoting cultural and civilizational dialogue, and making culture a space where human beings can meet each other.
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