Traditions Of Islam In Russia | PhotoExhibition 24.11-31.12. 2022

Traditions of islam in russia

Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | 2022
24 November – 31 December
Photo Exhibition

Traditions Of Islam In Russia

In 922, Ahmad Ibn Fadlan heading an embassy of Abbasid Caliph Al-Muktadir arrived in the state of Volga Bulgaria which was situated on the territory of the present-day Republic of Tatarstan to witness a milestone event - an adoption of Islam by the people of Volga Bulgaria.

This is how our main character described that historic moment: "When we finished the reading, they exclaimed "Allahu Akbar" in such a spirit that it seemed that the ground trembled at the sound of their voices".

For a long time, Ahmad Ibn Fadlan's writings remained unknown to the public, and only at the beginning of the XX century, the little-known pages of history were opened. Alas, his story ends and we may never know what the epilogue of his great journey was.

Our exhibition is a reference to Ibn Fadlan's return to homeland after 11 centuries. Has Islam gained a foothold in these lands? What was the history of Muslims of that distant country? How do Muslims there live now?

It is difficult to tell the history of Islam in Russia through photographs even if there are thousands of them because this religion has been present in Russia for more than a thousand years. Our exhibition consists of more than 150 photographs, which describe the homeland of 25 million Muslims. The exposition is divided into 8 parts that correlate with the federal districts of Russia. Each part includes photographs dedicated to the traditions of Islam in Russia, the modern life of Muslims, and mesmerizing mosques. Moscow Cathedral Mosques, a thousand-year capital of the Republic of Tatarstan Kazan, Kul Sharif Mosque, ancient buildings of the city of Bolgar, one of the oldest cities in the world Derbent with its ancient mosque and 40 graves of companions of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him), auls in the mountain of Caucasus, vast expanse of Siberia and beauty of Crimea – all of these embodies the history of Islam in Russia.

The exhibition is dedicated to the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by peoples of the Volga Bulgaria.

Throughout the centuries Russia, which is home to millions of people who follow the traditions of Islam, has been closely linked to the Islamic world by multi-faceted ties. Today, our country is rapidly developing its cooperation with Muslim countries, building up economic, umanitarian and cultural ties. This kind of partnership, built on the principles of respect and openness, serves the interests of stability and security in the world and is an example of civilised dialogue.

President of the Russian Federation
Valdimir Putin

It is the Russian civilization that is the closest one to the Islamic civilization. The voluntary adoption of Islam as an official religion became one of the main factors that influenced the national identity building of Tatars and several other ethnic groups in Russia. It is not just an anniversary date for us but a tribute to our ancestors who determined the life of our people. Islam in Russia has become one of the important components of a unique multi-religious and multinational culture.

President of the Republic of Tatarstan
Rustam Minnikhanov

Islam, the traditional religion of dozens of peoples and ethnic groups of Russia, has an acknowledged place in the Russian civilization. Over the centuries of good neighborliness, Muslims have invested their efforts and talents in the development of Russia. We are bringing Russia closer to the Islamic world in the name of peace,
in the pursuit of a global policy to preserve the national traditions of all peoples.
Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation "One of our goals is to show the whole spectrum of the Russian people's culture, customs and traditions of the multinational and multireligious state."

Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin,
Chairman of Russia Mufties Council and Religious Board of Mufties of the Russian Federation

"This is a book by Ahmad Ibn Fadlan Ibn al-Abbas Ibn Rashid Ibn Hammad, an envoy of al-Muktadir to the Bulgars' tzar. Here he tells what he has witnessed in the country of Turks, Khazars, Rus, Bulgars, Ugors, and others, how different their beliefs are. Also, he tells stories about the tzars of these people".

"When we were a day's journey away from the Bulgars' tzar whom we were heading to, he sent fours tzars subject to him, his brothers and sons to meet us. They met us with bread, meat, and millet, and accompanied us".

"Then a translator continued to translate the letter word by word. When we finished, people exclaimed "Allahu Akbar" in such a spirit that it seemed that the ground trembled at the sound of their voices".

"I saw numerous wonders in his country which are difficult to list…"

"We met there a family… All of its members have converted to Islam….A wooden mosque was built for them to pray there".

Ahmad Ibn Fadlan Ibn al-Abbas Ibn Rashid Ibn Hammad

Beginning of the journey

In 921 Bulgar delegation arrived in Baghdad. The Bulgar Khan Almush sought to break the rule of Khazar Kaganate over his state. That was why he asked the Caliph to send Muslims commanders, builders of the mosque, and to build a military fortress to stand up enemy attacks.

An Abbasid delegation of Caliph Al-Muktadir left Baghdad on a return visit to the Volga Bulgaria on July 21, 921 ( Safar 11, 309 hijra) and returned home in 923. It was headed by Susan ar-Rasi, Ahmad Ibn Fadlan was a secretary of the delegation.

At first, they traveled bypassing the Caucasus Mountains, where the first mosque in this region towered near the Naryn-Kala fortress and the graves of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) were located. Further, the path went through Central Asia that was the birthplace of such an outstanding scholar as Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari. Then after bypassing the Urals, the envoys reached the Volga Bulgaria, where not only amiable people but minarets greeted foreign guests....
Thanks to the writing of Ahmad ibn Fadlan, today it is known for certain that exactly 1100 years ago a significant event took place, which largely predetermined the course of the further history of Islam in the lands that are now called Russia.