Vyacheslaw Pyatkov: Optimal system for preservation of international and inter-religious harmony is built up in Bashkortostan

Chairman of the Council on religious affairs under Government RB Vyacheslaw Pyatkov introduced the report about state-religious relations in Bashkortostan at the all-Russian conference “Enlightener traditions of Islam in Ural-Volga region: the First Fakhretdin readings”. “Optimal system for preservation of international and inter-religious harmony is built up in Bashkortostan and the dialogue between the state and society is the base of this system” – Vyacheslaw Pyatkov stated – “The constitutional parity of religions was achieved through equidistant attitude of Republican leadership to all religions in Bashkortostan”. More than 4 million people live on the territory RB, as the reporter said, and these four million people form the unique variety of ethnoses, religions, cultures and languages. Representatives of more than 130 nationalities and ethnic groups inhabit Bashkortostan, being the adherents of different religions. Islam and Orthodox Christianity are the most influential directions in the Republic and their communities make up more than 86% of the total number of religious organizations: Islam - about 67%, Orthodox Christianity – 19%. Besides, various Protestant movements exist in the Republic. These religious communities form about 11%. According to information on January 1, 2009, there are 7 religious centers and 1363 religious communities in RB.