President of Tatarstan: “We are a secular state, this is written in our Constitution”

February 9, 2011 President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov gave an interview to the Ufimskiye Vedomosti newspaper and touched upon several religious issues.

In particular, R. Minnikhanov spoke "categorically against teaching religion in schools" :

"If they want to learn the law of God, let them on Sunday they go to school. Whatever religion it is. We are a secular state written into our Constitution. Introduction to schools of theological subjects conceals serious danger. A priest came to the classroom, and they were sitting there, even if only a few, children from other faiths - how will they feel about it? What thoughts will be born in their heads and souls? Reasonable in my opinion it would be to introduce a general course on the history of the major religions. And to teach this subject should be a secular teacher, not a priest . "

The President of Tatarstan commented on the presence clergy in the army

"I consider it wrong when a military unit comes only an Orthodox figure. Thousands of Muslims serve in the Russian army, people different nationalities. This fact cannot be ignored. In our republic a rule has been established: if we invite a mullah on some significant occasion, then be sure to invite an Orthodox priest. Otherwise we may sow among people discord, internal rejection of someone else's faith, which will have very deplorable consequences".

According to R. Minnikhanov, the authorities "cannot remain in side "when it comes to radical movements in any religion:

"Our task is to preserve traditional Islam. And it's not just about Islam. From time to time, attempts are made to put down all sorts of roots in Russia. destructive sects - some Jehovah's Witnesses, then Jesuits, then followers of the neo-pagan faith. I believe that both Orthodoxy and Islam, accepted by our ancestors must be preserved in their original, canonical, traditional form . Sources

• Rustam Minnikhanov: "My task is to take my step forward" // Ufimskiye Vedomosti. 2011. February 9.