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Russian govt to allocate RUB 1 bln for training Islam history/culture specialists

“We have paid and will pay attention to the development of religious diversity in Russia,” the head of state said

UFA, November 19 (Itar-Tass) — The Russian government will allocate nearly one billion roubles for the training of Islamic history and culture specialists in the next three years, President Dmitry Medvedev said.

“We have secured funding for this purpose this year and in 2012 and 2013,” Medvedev said at a meeting with Muslim clerics in Ufa on Saturday, November 19.

“We have paid and will pay attention to the development of religious diversity in Russia,” the head of state said.

“Raising the quality of training for Islamic history and culture specialists and full integration of Islamic educational institutions into the educational system of the Russian Federation is undoubtedly an important task,” he said.

Russia has for the first time in its history adopted state standards for education in the field of “Islamic theology”. “This has allowed leading universities to open departments for training Islamic clerics,” the president said.

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