World Journal of Islamic History and Civilization, 2 (3): 175-181, 2012 ISSN 2225-0883 C IDOSI Publications, 2012 Islam in Russia and Russian Islam Victor Pogadaev Department of Asian and European Languages, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Abstract: Until recently the term "Russian Islam" was something difficult to imagine. Half a century ago Islam was considered only as a religion of ethnic minorities only. The pioneers of Islam among the ethnic Russians were Russian women married to Muslim foreigners, Russian soldiers captured during the war in Afghanistan (1979-1989) and some spiritual seekers who were not satisfied with Christianity and found in Islam the true religion. Actually they were at the margin of the Russian society major parts of which were adepts of the Russian Orthodox Church. Nevertheless they successfully produced a strong wave. Although their number is still relatively small (about 100 000) they are young, energetic, vibrant and widespread in many Russian cities. There are among them politicians, famous artists and even some former Christian clergy. Many politicians share the opinion that Islam is a force of life in Russia and if the country want to exist further it must consider this force. A sector of Russian culture featured by Islam in the situation when other sectors are in decline, have opportunity to become one of the most important and influential force in the development of Russian society in the future. Key words: Islam in Russia . Russian Islam . Religious interaction . Culture influence . Russian society Islam in Russia INTRODUCTION One of the earliest Muslim areas on the territory of Russia was Volzhskaya Bulgaria (Bulgaria on the banks of the Volga river - don't confuse with the Bulgaria in Eastern Europe!) which is now a part of autonomous Republic of Tatarstan. It was an independent state before. The country emerged at the end of the 9th - early 10th century and quite for a long time was the only developed nation on the eastern tip of Europe [1]. The Bulgarian population originally came from the area around the Azov Sea and conquered local Finno- Uigur and Turkic tribes. Among the biggest Bulgarian cities were Bulgar and Bilyar which by their population and territory outnumbered London, Paris, Kiev (then the capital of ancient Russia) and Novgorod (a rich merchant city in Russia). Volzhskaya Bulgaria had trade relations with Central Asia, China, Byzantium, Russia. The main merchandise was wheat, furs, timber, leather, footwear, weapons etc. Each year there were trade fairs held in which the merchants from Baghdad, Damascus, Scandinavia and even Spain were taking part. Many of the foreign trade missions had its own premises in the capital of Bulgaria. Buildings in the capital city Bulgar in the 10-14 Century were built of stone and brick. Windows were covered with glass. The floor of the buildings was heated from below using a special heating system. There was a water pipe system in the city. Until now we can see the ruins of "Black