From May 17 to 20, 2015, St. Petersburg hosted the II International Scientific and Educational Conference “Bigiev’s readings” themed “Islamic thought in the XXI century: the unity of tradition and renewal”, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

The conference was attended by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tatarstan in St. Petersburg and Leningrad region Renat Valiullin.

Organizers of the conference: Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Council of Muftis of Russia, Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, World Union of Muslim scholars, International University “Al-Mustafa,” State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg State University, Institute of Asia and Africa of the Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan Federal University, Moscow Islamic Institute, International Islamic Forum, the Foundation for Support of Islamic Culture, Science and Education Foundation to support scientific and cultural

programs named after S. Mardzhani, Fund (Marjani), media holding “Medina” with the participation of the Interreligious Council of Russia.

The conference program included the following: plenary session, work in sections “Vectors of theological-philosophical and political-legal thought in the XXI century.”, “Tradition and the development of classical Islamic thought”, “Development of Islam and Muslim thought in St. Petersburg: past , present and future “, a round table of experts and scientific discussions, presentation of research and publishing projects, teaching materials.

For participants of the conference a thematic tour of the Hermitage “Monuments of Islamic Art from the State Hermitage” and a visit to the Cathedral Mosque in St. Petersburg has been organized. In addition, within the conference public lectures by honorary guests of the conference were held: General Secretary of the World Union of Muslim scholars, Dr. Ali Al-Mukhiddin Karadag and the chairman of the Office for Religious Affairs of Turkey, Chairman of the Presidium of the Eurasian Islamic Council, Dr. Mehmet Görmez.

On the eve of the conference within the framework of events dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great

Patriotic War, a gala evening and dinner for veterans, home front workers, residents of besieged Leningrad and activists of Muslim communities on behalf of Imam-mukhtasib of St. Petersburg and Leningrad region, the Russia Religious Board of Muslims first deputy chairman Damir Mukhetdinov was arranged.