A meeting between Chairman of Russia Muftis Council mufti sheikh Ravil Ganyutdin and extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Iraq in Russia Mr Ismail Shafiq Muhsin took place in Russia Muftis Council.

The meeting was also attended by second secretary of ambassador Mr Raid al-Juburi, head of the International Relations Office of RMC International Department Ildar Galeev and member of international relations office Ramil Gallyamov.

During the meeting, mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin reminded of centuries-old relations between Russian and Iraqi Muslims which began with the Arab embassy of Ahmad ibn Fadlan in X century, which marked the official introduction of Islam in Russia.

“Concentration of culture, science and civilization in Iraq has taught its people tolerance and good neighbourly relations with people of different madhabs and faiths. We are sure that Iraqi experience in this field will come useful for our multiconfessional and multinational country,” said mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin.

“Unfortunetely,” he said, “a number of mass media companies report of alleged confrontation between Sunnis and Shi’as, and threats to local Christians in Iraq. We, Muslims of Russia, do what we can in order to dispel these false notions, and we are committed to peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths and national backgrounds.”

An agreement to engage specialists of Azam Abu Hanifa University in promoting Hanafi madhab, especially among the youth, was also reached on the meeting.

RMC press service