On 22 May an official Muslim delegation from China visited the Spiritual department of Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region (Muhtasibat of St.Petersburg). It was their first visit to St Petersburg, in response to the visit of Ravil Gaynutdin, spiritual leader of Russian Muslims, Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council and the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation, to China, which took place in 2015.

The guests represented the Islamic Association of China. Among them there were government officials, including Ma Zing (director of the 3rd department of the Religious Affairs State Committee), Jin Zhubing (Deputy Chairman of the Islamic Association of China), Chang Yuy Loon (director of the International department of the Islamic Association of China), and Ming Chan (secretary of International department). The delegation was led by the Vice President of the Islamic Association of China, Hun Changyung.

The purpose of the visit was to exchange information about Muslims’ life in St. Petersburg. Members of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, as well as leaders of ethnic and Muslim regional communities attended the meeting with the Chinese delegates. The guests had an opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of the Hermitage Museum and a boat trip. The Chinese delegates presented a copy of the Qur’an in Chinese and gift books about Islam in China.

Ravil Seyfetdinov, the first deputy of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, gave them a copy of the Qur’an in Russian in return.