Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, on Thursday, 14 May 2026, ahead of the official launch of the celebration of Kazan as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2026.

During the meeting, the two parties underscored that Kazan is one of the great historical and cultural cities, a center for dialogue and civilizational exchange, as well as a bridge between Russia and the Islamic world, thanks to its rich cultural heritage and ancient history, not to mention that it is the first city where the Holy Quran was printed in Russia.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to review the details of Kazan’s celebration programme, which includes the implementation of activities and the launch of year-round cultural and civilizational initiatives, with the aim of strengthening its cultural presence and its role in promoting understanding among peoples.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. AlMalik presented Kazan’s Mayor with the celebration flag of Kazan as the Culture Capital in the Islamic World, and the two parties exchanged commemorative gifts.

The meeting also brought together Mr. Timur Suleymanov, Assistant to the Rais for International Relations, and Ms. Evgeniya Lodvigova, Deputy Mayor, as well as Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at ICESCO.