⁃ Today, it can be stated that the ethnocultural and linguistic diversity of modern Russia
is manifested in the fact that 277 languages and dialects are used, 105 languages are used
in the state education system, 24 of them as the language of instruction, and 81 as a
subject of study.
Current international legal standards require appropriate guarantees for the exercise of
the right to use one’s native language. Regulations on the right to use one’s native
language are enshrined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation (Sect. 2 Art. 19,
Sect. 2 Art. 26, Sect. 2 Art. 29, Art. 68). Federal legislation on the right of citizens to
freely choose their language of education generally complies with the international
obligations undertaken by the Russian Federation and establishes the appropriate legal
basis for the realization of this right.
The implementation in Russia of the state policy in the field of education in and teaching
of minority languages requires a common concerted effort, and it is justified that state
authorities rely on the capacity and initiatives of religious and public organizations.
Dear friends, in our section, little attention is given to religious education! And this
is an important area of human rights that the government must ensure. Currently in
Russia, there are more than 70 licensed secondary special madrassas, up to 10 Islamic
religious higher educational institutions, and one Bulgarian Islamic Academy, where
more than 30,000 students in total study. The issue of organizing Islamic education in
minority languages (other than Arabic) is relevant for Islamic religious organizations.
Islam itself is a powerful factor in the development and improvement of Islamic
education, and the basis of the spiritual and moral formation of the individual. It is
important for us, Russian Muslims, to preserve and develop the organic connection
between the spiritual and moral potential of Islam and the system of modern Islamic
education and enlightenment, both in general, and in the languages of the indigenous
peoples and minorities of Russia.
⁃ I would like to note the positive experience of the activities of the muftiate of Tatarstan
in organizing free Tatar language courses. Since last year, they have been organized at
mosques in the cities and regions of Tatarstan. The SAMR together with Kazan Federal
University holds the International Literature Festival of Turkic-speaking Countries of
the CIS.
The program of such an intensive course is aimed at studying the spoken Tatar language
and other national languages, at mastering situational lexical sets, and at developing
communication skills. The scientific and teaching communities, certified, experienced
teachers and specialists, and philologists of the Tatar language are all involved in the
training. This experience has been disseminated in other regions of Russia, which
complements the activities of state bodies in the field of education in and teaching of
minority languages.