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On October 29, 2020, the conference on Forming the Civic Identity of the Muslim Youth in Russia and Abroad has begun in Kazan as part of the International Forum on Theological Heritage of Muslims of Russia. Along with the Bulgarian Islamic Academy, the event has been organized by leading Muslim religious boards and organizations in Russia with the support of state authorities.

The event is attended by religious leaders, experts and students of theological schools in Russia and abroad.

With a blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations (DECR), the section on Interreligious Dialogue in Educational Space: a Potential for Strengthening Civic Identity was attended in the online format by Deacon Iliya Kashitsyn, DECR secretariat for interreligious relations. In his report on International Cooperation in Theological Education, he pointed to growing provocations and speculations with regard to people’s religious feelings. In this context, he noted the negative influence made by the secular ideology on relationships between religions and peoples, on the peaceful coexistence of the faithful of various traditions. Deacon Iliya Kashitsyn underscored the key role played by religious education and development of theology in opposing and preventing radical manifestations and for strengthening healthy interreligious relations in society. In conclusion of his speech, he pointed to the importance of the joint opposition of traditional religions to the vices generated by the aggressive secular ideology.

DECR Communication Service