Book launch event for the book "Finnish Tatars"

On October 1st, the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, made an official visit to Turkey. As part of the president's busy schedule, a book presentation on the history of the Finnish Tatars, was also held.

For the presentation, the author of the book, Dr. Ramil Belyaev, the President of the Finnish Tatar Islamic Community, Gölten Bedretdin, and community board members Derya Samaletdin, Adile Samaletdin, and Pamir Albayrak came from Finland. The book launch took place at the premises of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) in Ankara.

The event was attended by Finland's President Alexander Stubb, Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, YTB President Abdullah Eren, the Ambassador of Finland to Turkey, Pirkko Hämäläinen, the Ambassador of Turkey to Finland, Deniz Çakar, and many distinguished guests.

As part of the presentation, a photo exhibition on the history of the Finnish Tatars, was also showcased.

The book "The Finnish Tatars" provides information on the emergence and development of the Tatar diaspora in this northern country. Despite being few in number, the Tatars living in Finland have managed to preserve their language, culture, and religion. At the same time, they have demonstrated a successful example of integration into Finnish society. During times of war, the Tatars stood shoulder to shoulder with the Finns to defend their new homeland. In 1925, they established the first Muslim community, built mosques, opened a school, and engaged in active publishing activities.

Besides the historical section, the book also analyzes the process of the Tatars' integration into Finnish society and presents a model for the preservation of national and religious identity within a diaspora.

 

Article written by Dr. Ramil Belyaev, the Imam of the Finnish Tatar Islamic Community

Images: Matti Porre/Tasavallan presidentin kanslia, YTB.