MOSCOW, September 1 (IslamOnline.net) – The history of religions is to be taught this year for the first time in Russian schools, allowing students to study a number of religions including Islam, the Russian education minister has said.

"The history of religions is an important component of the history of any state. This is why this subject may be included in the history course," Andrei Fursenko told a press conference on Tuesday, August 31.

Fursenko said the subject will be mandatory for preparatory and secondary school students to study in the two stages.

On the aims of the measure, the Russian official said: "For students to get considerable information about the four main religions in the country – Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism, and boost their relations with homeland."

There are 19 million Muslims in Russia, making Islam the country's second-largest religion, behind the Russian Orthodoxy.

Fursenko underlined that the course would rather introduce historical information on religions in the country, rather than taking a deeper analysis of one specific religion.

"In our country school is separated from the church. Children receive secular education. This is why there cannot be mandatory religious studies in school," the minister said.

Fursenko maintained the Russian education ministry will assure that teachers of the new subject abide by the secular education system in Russia.

"The ministry conducts constant consultations with representatives of these confessions on the matter,” Fursenko said.

He revealed that the education ministry is holding consultations with representatives of the four religions in the country on the issue.

"The ministry conducts constant consultations with representatives of these confessions on the matter," Fursenko said.

Russia has a Muslim population of 23 million, representing roughly 15 percent of its 145 million population, according to a 2003 census.

Two million Muslims are residing in the capital Moscow.