H.E. Mr. Rustam Minikhannov, Rais (Head) of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, received Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and together they explored ways to promote strategic partnership in the fields of education, science and culture, as well as the arrangements of the launch of the celebration of Kazan as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2026, as part of ICESCO’s Culture Capitals Programme.

During the meeting, held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in the Tatar capital, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to ensure the success of the celebration of Kazan as Culture Capital in the Islamic World. To this end, the Director-General stated that the Organization will carry out a rich and diverse year-long program featuring a series of activities and programs aimed at strengthening the city’s cultural and social capital, in cooperation with the relevant national authorities.

Moreover, Dr. AlMalik thanked His Excellency for inviting ICESCO to take part in the activities of the Kazan 2025 International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World”, expressing ICESCO’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with Tatarstan, particularly in the areas of supporting and empowering creative youth, preserving and promoting heritage, and according due attention to components of creative and knowledge economy.

For his part, the Head of the Republic stated that the Kazan celebration is an opportunity to highlight the city’s ancient heritage, diversity and status as a cultural hub in the Islamic world, since it was the first city where the Holy Quran was printed.

His Excellency added that he had instructed the relevant authorities to mobilize all necessary resources to ensure the success of the celebration, in a way that reflects the city’s historical and cultural status.
The two parties agreed to set up a joint working committee to draw up a program of activities and initiatives to be implemented throughout the celebration period. Dr. AlMalik specified that a large number of these activities will be devoted to youth, including leadership and entrepreneurship camps, and youth vocational training sessions. He further explained that the celebration will also feature several Tatar cultural weeks to be held in a number of cities around the Islamic world.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Leyla Fazleeva, Deputy Prime Minister; Ms. Irada Ayupova, Minister of Culture; Mr. Ilsur Khadiullin, Minister of Education and Science; and Mr. Timur Suleymanov, Mr. Gazinur Bakirov and Mr. Marat Gatin, Assistants to the Rais of Tatarstan. Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of the Director General of ICESCO, Supervisor of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Sector, also attended the meeting.