Russia and Islamic world get closer
by TALİP KÜÇÜKCAN
Power games and a changing international environment lead to searches for new alliances and strategic partnerships.
One recent example of such a search is Russia’s goal to be an observer state at the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Since then a number of initiatives have been launched to establish closer relations between the two sides. Among them, the creation of a Strategic Vision Group for Russia and the Islamic world seems a promising one. Its members have already met twice. The third meeting of the Strategic Vision Group was convened on Feb. 2-3, 2007 in Istanbul. Participants included distinguished representatives from the Russian Federation and OIC member countries. Mintimier Shamiev, president of the Republic of Tatarstan and Yaşar Yakış, former minister of foreign affairs of Turkey, co-chaired the meeting.
Shamiev, the president of the Republic of Tatarstan, gave the opening address. He stated that Istanbul, which served as the venue of the meeting, was not only a beautiful city but also a center of various symbols rooted in history. Shamiev pointed out that religion was experiencing a revival at the present time. A similar process had occurred in Tatarstan but this had not caused divisions in society as has happened elsewhere. Islam, with its emphasis on spirituality and justice, can play a role in the regeneration of Europe. “The task for us,” he said, “should not be limited to the question of what we understand from religion. Rather, we should ask ourselves how we can contribute to religion and how we can transform our outlook.”
‘Islam is not against progress or scientific developments’
Participants addressed a number of timely and important questions that might have repercussions for Russia and the Muslim world. It has been argued that the group as a forum contributing to Russia-Muslim world relations has three essential foundations and objectives, defined as geographical, cultural/historical and political. The geographical foundation indicates that Russia is in near proximity to the Muslim world and has a unique position with a vast geographical relation with Muslim countries. The cultural foundation refers to the mixture of ethnicities, demography, art and cultures between Russia and the Muslim world starting from the ninth and 10th centuries. Cultural relations have enabled Russians to develop a better understanding of Muslims. The political foundation indicates that Russia is a global power and strategic partner for the Muslim world. From Cold War onwards, Russia has maintained constructive relations with the Muslim world.
It has also been asserted that the forum has objectives on three levels: global, regional and domestic. The global objective is to contribute to the civilizational dialogue and peace and mutual understanding -- especially in the post 9/11 era. The regional objective is to contribute to the solution of regional problems and establish sustainable peace in the Balkans, the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia. The domestic objective is to improve working relations with Muslims living in Russia and enable them to be a bridge between Russia and the greater Muslim world. Participants pointed out that for the perspectives and objectives outlined above, Russia’s relations with the Muslim world as an observer state at the OIC was an important institutional link between the two sides.Participants also pointed out that the Strategic Vision Group has already started to make an impact as an important project to improve international and regional tolerance. It has been stressed that this project is a meaningful enterprise to strengthen dialogue between Christianity and Islam in general and Russia and the Muslim world in particular. In this context Russia’s legacy of the coexistence of different ethnicities, nations and religions is underlined as a significant historical experience that could facilitate easing tensions between the West and the Muslim world.
Honesty and sincerity are lacking as vital qualities in international relations, and the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group is expected to revive such qualities. It was stated that the third meeting of the Strategic Vision Group took place at a critical moment as Muslims are facing a number of challenges such as underdevelopment, political conflicts and foreign intervention. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the crisis in Iraq cause great concern for all. Moreover, racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia are all on the rise and need to be tackled effectively. It was stated that the consultation of the OIC member states with Russia on solutions to such problems is an important enterprise. Another concern is establishing relations with the host countries of Muslim minorities. Russia has a long history and experience in this regard, having developed closer relations with Muslims on shared grounds. Russian-Muslim relations have gone through different stages. The establishment of closer cooperation between Russia and OIC member states is important to resolve conflicts and to promote dialogue. In this context Russia can play an important role as a bridge between the Islamic world and the West.
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