Eminent writer, journalist, filmmaker and human rights defender Shahriar Kabir went to Kazan for a fortnight tour on 20 June '06 to shoot his forthcoming documentary on Tatarstan, based on his book 'Notes from Kazan'. In this documentary Shahriar Kabir is going to highlight interfaith harmony in Tatarstan and 'Jadidism', a liberal, secular interpretation of Islam adopted by Muslim Tatar theologists in 19th century.

There are nearly hundred ethnic and religious communities in Tatarstan who are living with peace and amity for more than thousand years. Shahriar Kabir recorded views of different faith leaders, politicians, intellectuals, youth and common people on interfaith relation in Tatarstan.

During this tour he has done 70% shooting, planning to complete by next September. This tri-lingual film (Bengali, English and Russian) will be completed by February '07.

During this tour Shahriar Kabir met Ms. Zilia Valieva, Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan and Dr. Raphael Khakimov, advisor to the President of the Republic Mintimer Shaimiev, who is an expert on 'Jadidism'. Shahriar Kabir is expected to meet the President and the Prime Minister during his next visit to Tatarstan scheduled in first half of September '06. Shahriar Kabir first visited Kazan in May 2004, later wrote a book, which was the first of its kind in Bengal

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