Today, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Russia Muftis Council, had a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Palestine to the Russian Federation, Abdulhafiz Nofal.

The parties discussed providing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, whose residents have faced unprecedented suffering because of Israel's continuous attacks.

The leader of Russian Muslims welcomed Mr Ambassador and expressed condolence, support and solidarity on behalf of the Russian ummah.

"Regarding the stance of Russian Muslims, it should be noted that we have been together with you for decades - we celebrate Al-Quds Day on the last Friday of Ramadhan, we try our best to be useful, we try to raise the voice of Russian Muslims. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and demand the implementation of UN resolutions so that a viable, sovereign, independent state of Palestine can be created and recognised by everyone. We are convinced that peace in the Middle East is impossible without the establishment of a Palestinian state and its recognition," said Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin.

According to the chairman of the RMC, the upcoming visit of President Mahmoud Abbas to Russia will draw a response in the world and will once again prove that Palestine considers Russia as a key partner in the implementation of the "Two states for two peoples" plan and the solution of the Palestinian conflict. "We say that Russia can and must play an important role on a global scale. Our Muslim brothers and sisters living in Islamic countries express respect towards the position of our President, who has credibility in the Islamic world. The entire Muslim world supports the initiative of our President. We fully support the efforts of our president aimed at helping our fellow believers in Palestine, including the creation of the Palestinian state," the Mufti emphasised.

During the meeting it was noted that the RMC provides humanitarian aid to the Palestinians to the best of its ability, raising funds through the "Zakat" Charity Fund. According to Mufti Gainutdin, 85 million rubles have been raised within a short period of time. Fuel, medicines, food, food packages,and other supplies were purchased through the funds "Takaful" (Lebanon) and "Hayat yolu" (Turkey). So far, $177,500 have been put into operation locally through Hayat yolu and $48,250 through Takaful. 

Abdulhafiz Nofal thanked Mufti Gaynutdin and the Russian Muslims for their stance and support, and conveyed greetings from President Mahmoud Abbas. Mr Ambassador also praised the work of the RMC under the auspices of Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin in supporting the Palestinian issue, including events conducted in solidarity with the Palestinian people held at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque. "I would like to note that not only Muslims in Russia, but all its citizens and the country's leadership stand for the Palestinians and for justice," emphasized the Palestinian Ambassador.

The meeting was also attended by Khalid Miyari, a diplomat of the Embassy of Palestine in the rank of Ambassador, Samir Abu Salih, Counsellor of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine to the Russian Federation, Damir Mukhetdinov, First Deputy Chairman of the RBM of the Russian Federation, Farit Farisov, Deputy Chairman of the RMC, Chairman of the Tatar National Cultural Autonomy of Moscow, and Ildar Galeev, Head of the International Department of the RBMRF.