A Saudi delegation headed by Muhammad Al-Shammari, director of the Department for Relations with Islamic Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of KSA, visited the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
 
The delegation was received by Rushan Abbyasov, deputy chairman of the Russian Muftis Council. The delegation, which came to Moscow upon the invitation of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World”, included Turki bin Mahmoud Allawiy, Naef bin Hashim Al-Sharif, Jamil bin Farhan Al-Dandani, Maaz bin Fahd Al-Bleikhi, Abdulrahman bin Muhammad Al Rashid, Faisal bin Falah Al Harbi.
 
The meeting was attended by Ildar Galeyev, head of the International Department of the RMC; Ali Khasanov, head of the Department of Internal Affairs, and Salem Zalam, leading specialist of the International Department.
 
Rushan Abbyasov conveyed greetings on behalf of the religious leader of Russian Muslims, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin. He noted that the relationships between the Russian and Saudi Muslims had existed for many years.
 
“We are happy to witness the cooperation between the leaders of our countries, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The relations between Vladimir Putin and the Crown Prince of KSA, Mohammed bin Salman are also of particular international importance. Apart from political ties at the highest level, the religious relationships are also developing, ”said the first deputy chairman of the RMC.

He mentioned the historical visit of the religious leader of Russian Muslims, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, when a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation, the Russian Muftis Council and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.

“In the nearest future we will conduct a meeting of the Russian-Saudi working group on the implementation of the agreements,” said Rushan Abbyasov.
 
When speaking about the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World", he noted that it had become not only a recognized platform for discussing the vital concerns of the Muslim community in Russia, developing cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world, facilitating dialogue with fellow believers in different countries, but also an institution that analyzes the global challenges of our time.
 
During the meeting, Rushan Abbyasov emphasized that cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the social, humanitarian, cultural and other fields had always been a priority for Russian Muslims.
 
“We are happy to develop our cooperation with regard to such major projects as the Moscow International Qur'an Reciting Competition, the International Muslim Forum, and the Moscow Halal Expo Exhibition. Last year we launched a unique project, the photo exhibition “Islamic traditions in Russia,” and we hope that this year it will be presented in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ”said Rushan Abbyasov.
 
Muhammad Al-Shammari, director of the Department for Cooperation with Islamic Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the KSA, emphasized that the Russian Muftis Council and the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation were internationally recognized as an authority, and the Saudi government welcomed this cooperation in the cultural and religious spheres.