Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov on a working visit to the United States met with the leadership and activists of American Turkic-Tatar Association. At the meeting, which was held in “Tatar House” hall at the city of Burlingame (CA) more than 50 participants took part.

The meeting began with a prayer read by Imam Abdul Dayan Safa.

Further, with the words of welcome to the participants of the event addressed the president of the American Turkic-Tatar Association Turan Apakan. He thanked Rustam Minnikhanov for the meeting and spoke about the work carried out by the Association.

More detailed information about the company US Tatars was told by members of the American

Turkic-Tatar Association Rukia Safa, Safa Adil, Guzel Akhmadullina and Ildous Akhmadullin.

Rustam Minnikhanov expressed gratitude to the activists of American Turkic-Tatar Association for their contribution to the preservation and multiplication of the traditions, customs and language of our people away from their historical homeland.

“You were able to find each other and joined together to preserve the traditions, customs, language and culture of our people, – he said. – Even for Tatars living in Tatarstan, the issue of preserving the language still remains open. And that is your attitude to the culture and traditions is an example for us. In the future, we need to remain the same united because our strength “in unity.

We meet with the Tatars from different countries and it is surprising how people born outside of Tatarstan, in other countries, for example in the US, speak the Tatar language, Rustam Minnikhanov continued. And, of course, we are looking for methods of teaching the native language, since

kindergarten. But without passing the native language from mother, without communication within the family, the state will not be able to teach the native language, he said.

Then Rustam Minnikhanov told about projects designed to unite Tatars worldwide: online learning system “Ana tele”, the Tatar language satellite channel “TNV-Planet”, a global social network “Tatar Ile” and others.

In conclusion the guests of the event performed the song “Tugan Tel” in the Tatar language.

Rustam Minnikhanov presented Gratitude letters from Tatarstan President to a member of the American Turkic-Tatar Association Rukie Safa for the preservation and development of cultural and moral values and traditions of the Tatar people. After that meeting, the participants photographed with the President of the Republic of Tatarstan.

For information: Currently, in the US there are more than 2,000 families of the Kazan Tatars. In general, the number of Tatars (together with Tatars students

who came to study from different parts of the world) is about 4,000 people.

Tatars in the United States remained committed to their national culture and religion, customs and cuisine, keep contacts and correspondence with the Tatars, living in Turkey, Canada, Finland, Australia, Japan, Germany. They keep communication with their countrymen in Tatarstan. They maintain regular contact with the Board of American Tatars of the World Congress of Tatars.

RT President’s Press Service