A meeting between RMC Chairman mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin and Extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Egypt in Russian Federation Mr Mohammed El-Badri took place on January 28 in the residency of Russia Muftis Council.

The meeting was also attended by the embassy's second secretary Mr Hossam Nureldin, RMC deputy chairman Rushan hazrat Abbyasov and head of RMC International relations department Ildar Galeev. The meeting was requested by the recently appointed Egyptian ambassador to familiarize with the state of affairs of Muslims in Russia and discuss spiritual cooperation of Russian and Egyptian Muslims.

During his talk with mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, the ambassador had conveyed him the greetings of Sheikh al-Azhar and the Chief Mufti of Egypt, and their suggestion to extend the countries' two-sided spiritual cooperation.

"We're completely ready for all forms of cooperation with Russian Muslims," said the Egyptian ambassador on behalf of the Grand Imam and Sheikh of al-Azhar University Ahmad el-Tayeb.

In his turn, mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin thanked the ambassador for the warm greetings and told him of the events and activities organized by Russia Muftis Council, especially noting active participation of Egyptian party in Moscow International Qur'an Reciting Competition. Chairman of Russia Muftis Council also spoke of the great role of al-Azhar in the formation of modern Russia's Muslim religious leadership.

"Many of our imams, madrasah teachers and muftis graduated from this ancient scientific and cultural center of Sunni Islamic thought, and for many years in row we see famous imams and Qur'an reciters from Egypt coming to us every Ramadan to lead religious services, which not only helps our spiritual administrations, but also brings our people closer together and strengthens bilateral contacts," said mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin.

During the discussion that followed, mufti Ravil Gaynutdin and Egyptian ambassador agreed on the need to increase cooperation in educational, cultural, religious and economic spheres. They also discussed current political situation in Egypt. RMC Chairman mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin reminded that in November of last year, Russian defence minister Sergey Shoygu said in his talk with his Egyptian colleague field marshal Abdul Fatah al-Sisi that strong democratic Egypt is an important factor in maintaining peace in the Middle East, and stressed the importance of further cooperation between the countries.

In the end of the meeting mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin wished success to the Egyptian people who will soon vote for the country's leader and elect parliament. "Due to its ancient civilization, Egypt has always been an example of peaceful coexistence of its people. We hope that the elections will return your country peace and stability," said the Chairman of Russia Muftis Council.

RMC press service