A delegation of Russia Muftis Council, headed by Ildar hazrat Alyautdinov, visited Ankara to meet with Mafail Hızlı, mufti of the Turkish capital, and сongratulate him with his appointment to the position.

Ildar hazrat extended the greetings of the leader of Russian Muslims to the mufti of Ankara, and congratulated him on being appointed to this important position. The mufti, in his turn, told of the structure of his administration, which consists of 25 territorial units. The mufti’s office is responsible for spiritual guidance of hundreds of thousands of people. Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Moscow City highly appreciated the activities of the mufti’s office in Ankara, and wished them success in their work.

The delegation was also received by the minister of religious affairs of Turkey Mr Mehmet Görmez. The minister noted that because of democratic transformations in Russia, the authorities are now providing favourable environment for adherents of traditional religions of Russia, including Muslims. Mr Görmez extended his warmest greetings to mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin. Ildar hazrat Alyautdinov thanked the ministry for their support of RMC’s and SAMMC’s cultural programmes, for sending professional Qur’an reciters for daily tarawih prayers in Russian mosques during the holy month of Ramadan, and Turkish nasheed performers for participation in Ramadan Tent and Mawlid an-Nabi.

During the visit, Russian delegation also met with the leading members of Fatwa Council. Each month, they review over 300 questions dealing with Islamic law. The council consists of well-known academic figures with religious education. Ildar hazrat, in his turn, is a member of RMC’s Ulâma Council that also releases religious decrees and answers relevant questions of Russian Muslims. The parties agreed to work closely with each other in the areas pertaining to Islamic law and issuing of fatwas.

The delegation also visited charity fund “Diyanet Vakfı” on behalf of SAMMC and “Zakat” foundation of the ministry of religious affairs. The fund began its work in 1975. It supervises a number of social projects aimed at helping the needy, sponsors Muslim organizations and buiding of mosques. It is also involved in interior decoration of Moscow Jum’ah Mosque on the agreement with Russia Muftis Council. Ildar hazrat thanked the fund’s leadership for their charitable support.