Islam in Tatarstan

Islam in Tatarstan existed prior to the tenth century, but it began major growth in 922, when Bulgar ruler Almış converted to Islam.^[1] This was followed by an increase in missionary activity in Volga Bulgaria. Islam remained the dominant religion through the Mongol invasion and subsequent Khanate of Kazan. In 1552, the region was finally conquered by Russia, bringing the Volga Tatars and Bashkirs on the Middle Volga into the tsardom. Under Russian rule, Islam was suppressed for many years, first during the Tsardom and Empire and later during the Soviet era. Today, Islam is a major faith in Tatarstan, adhered to by 47.8–55 percent^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6] of the estimated 3.8 million population, making it one of the two dominant religions in the region, the other being Orthodox Christianity.^[7]

Marat Gatin is the minister for Interaction with Religious Organizations, a Presidential department.^[8]

^ Azade-Ayse Rolich, The Volga Tatars, 1986, page 11. Richard Frye, Ibn Fadlan's Journey to Russia, 2005, page 44 gives 16 May 922 for the first meeting with the ruler. This seems to be the official date of the conversion.
^ Malashenko, Alexey. "Islamic Challenges to Russia, From the Caucasus to the Volga and the Urals". Carnegie Moscow Center. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
^ Balkind, Nicole (19 March 2019). "A Model Republic? Trust and Authoritarianism on Tatarstan's Road to Autonomy". University of North Carolina – via Carolina Digital Repository.
^ "Arena: Atlas of Religions and Nationalities in Russia". Sreda, 2012.
^ 2012 Arena Atlas Religion Maps. "Ogonek", № 34 (5243), 27/08/2012. Retrieved 21/04/2017. Archived.
^ "History, culture, religion". tatarstan.ru. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
^ "Population". tatarstan.ru. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
^ "Personnel Directory - Marat Gatin". Official Tatarstan. Retrieved 9 June 2018.

[:0-1] Azade-Ayse Rolich, The Volga Tatars, 1986, page 11. Richard Frye, Ibn Fadlan's Journey to Russia, 2005, page 44 gives 16 May 922 for the first meeting with the ruler. This seems to be the official date of the conversion.

[2] Malashenko, Alexey. "Islamic Challenges to Russia, From the Caucasus to the Volga and the Urals". Carnegie Moscow Center. Retrieved 9 February 2022.

[3] Balkind, Nicole (19 March 2019). "A Model Republic? Trust and Authoritarianism on Tatarstan's Road to Autonomy". University of North Carolina – via Carolina Digital Repository.

[2012ArenaAtlas-4] "Arena: Atlas of Religions and Nationalities in Russia". Sreda, 2012.

[2012Arena-religion-maps-5] 2012 Arena Atlas Religion Maps. "Ogonek", № 34 (5243), 27/08/2012. Retrieved 21/04/2017. Archived.

[6] "History, culture, religion". tatarstan.ru. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2022.

[:1-7] "Population". tatarstan.ru. Retrieved 25 December 2020.

[8] "Personnel Directory - Marat Gatin". Official Tatarstan. Retrieved 9 June 2018.

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