Damir Mukhetdinov: Rizaitdin Fakhretdin stood for reformation of Muslim world in Russia

Rector of Nizhniy Novgorod Islamic Institute by H. Faizkhanov Damir Mukhetdinov devoted his report at the all-Russian scientific-practical conference “Enlightener traditions of Islam in Ural-Volga region: the First Fakhretdin readings” to the ideas of Muslim world reformation, outlined in the works of Riza Fakhretdinov. “Rizaidin Fakhretdin has come to the conclusion that for the movement on the way of progress Muslims lack quite definite qualities, such as the trust in their own strength, allegiance to their own promises, bravery, firmness, inflexibility on the way to the goals set before them and optimism in the combination with wisdom” – Damir Mukhetdinov mentioned. The activity of Riza Fakhretdin was many-sided. Being the Mufti he was at the same time the editor-in-chief of the religious magazine and the author of numerous books and text-books. He paid much attention to the problem of Muslim world revival and published analytical articles about grounds of backwardness in Muslim world, undertaking the efforts to find the way out of the crisis. On the pages of the magazine “SHURA” he analyzed the problems of Koran translations into native languages of Muslim nations, the reforms in Muslim education and at the same time criticized the ignorance and superstitions, drawbacks and vices, peculiar to Muslim clergy. Riza Fakhretdin didn’t agree with those who said that religion was an obstacle on the way to human happiness and prosperity. According to his concept the perception of wisdom in Koran was the main key to public progress.