Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Mintimer Shaimiev, State Counsellor of the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Revival Regional Foundation for Historical and Cultural Monuments, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue, to discuss cooperation avenues between ICESCO and Tatarstan in cultural fields, particularly in the preservation and valorization of heritage and Arabic language teaching.

Dr. AlMalik began the meeting, which took place on Friday May 17, 2024, at the representative building of the Kazan Kremlin, by expressing his appreciation for the efforts of the Revival Regional Foundation for for Historical and Cultural Monuments in preserving heritage. He congratulated Mr. Shaimiev on the inscription of the Kazan City Observatory in the Republic of Tatarstan on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List.

Furthermore, he emphasized that ICESCO’s new vision and strategic directions prioritize the protection, preservation, and valorization of heritage. Accordingly, the Organization established the Heritage Center and the Islamic World Heritage Committee, to inscribe historical sites and cultural elements on its lists of tangible and intangible heritage.
For his part, the State Counsellor of the Republic of Tatarstan praised ICESCO’s roles in preserving heritage, calling for the inclusion of the “Sabantuy” festival on the Organization’s list of intangible heritage. This is one of the most important harvest festivals celebrated since the Middle Ages, translating to ” plough’s feast,” and features many artistic activities every year.

The meeting also discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan in cultural fields and heritage, as well as the Arabic language, by establishing ICESCO’s center for teaching Arabic at the Bolgar Islamic Academy in Bolgar, Russia, which celebrated the 1100th anniversary of the introduction of Islam in 2022.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides emphasized their commitment to developing cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan and continuing coordination to implement practical programs and projects in areas of mutual interest discussed during the meeting.