On the instructions of the Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, his deputy Mufti Rushan Abbyasov received in the Moscow Cathedral Mosque a high-ranking guest - Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Gilani.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to the Russian Federation Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Embassy staff, as well as Deputy Head of the International Department of the RBM of the Russian Federation Islam Kozhevnikov.

On behalf of the spiritual leader of Russian Muslims, Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, Rushan Hazrat conveyed warm words of greetings to Mr. Gilani and in his person to the leadership and people of Pakistan. He spoke about the history of Islam in Russia, the rich cultural heritage of the Russian Ummah, the existing educational and religious institutions, noting the contribution of Muslims to the development of Russian society.

During the conversation Mufti Rushan Abbyasov emphasized that Russian Muslims in their prayers tirelessly ask the Almighty for the triumph of peace and justice on Earth, for the prevention of spilling human blood and peaceful resolution of conflicts through diplomatic means. He expressed his prayerful gratitude to the Creator that Pakistan and India have reached an agreement on cessation of hostilities against each other.

The participants of the meeting emphasized the importance of the development of interethnic and interreligious dialogue. Mr. Rushan Hazrat noted that thanks to the policy of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the actions of the Government, good-neighborliness reigns in Russian society, representatives of almost 200 peoples live in harmony, build the future together and defend the Fatherland, the Council for Cooperation with Religious Associations under the President of the Russian Federation and the Interreligious Council of Russia are working effectively.

Mr. Gilani, in turn, emphasized the importance of interreligious dialogue for Pakistan, where, despite the predominant Muslim population, the rights of religious minorities are respected and protected, and their representatives are included in the government. He noted the importance of the work of religious figures who pay great attention to the education of young people, calling for peace, enlightenment and spirituality.

The sides paid special attention to the issue of countering extremism, xenophobia and radicalism. The participants of the meeting expressed a common opinion that the efforts of state, religious and public figures should be aimed at preserving peace within the countries and in the international arena.

As part of the discussion of the prospects of bilateral cooperation, Mufti Rushan Abbyasov emphasized the active participation of Pakistan's representatives in international projects of the RBM of the Russian Federation, including the Muslim International Forum and the Moscow International Quran Recitation Contest. He expressed gratitude to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mr. Jamali for his personal contribution to the development of Russian-Pakistani interaction.

Following the meeting, the sides agreed to strengthen cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.

At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin attended today the Parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War on Red Square.

The spiritual leader of the Muslims of Russia alongside the country's leadership, together with veterans, leaders of the world's states who arrived in Moscow to participate in the solemn events, welcomed the participants of the Victory Parade.

President Putin. receiving the Victory Parade said: “We faithfully preserve the memory of these historic, triumphant events. And as heirs of the victors, we celebrate May 9 as a native holiday, as the most important one for the country, for the entire nation, for every family, for each of us. Our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers saved the Fatherland. And they bequeathed us to defend the Motherland, to be united, to firmly defend our national interests, our thousand-year history, culture and traditional values. Everything that is dear to us, that is sacred to us”.

Russian national leader President Putin emphasized that the Nazis' plans to seize the Soviet Union were shattered by the truly iron unity of the country. The heroism of the people was massive, all republics bore the common, heavy burden of war.

“Huge was the contribution of the inhabitants of Central Asia and Transcaucasia. From here echelons with everything the front needed went uninterruptedly. Hundreds of thousands of evacuated people found their second home here. They shared their shelter, bread and warmth of heart,” said Vladimir Putin.

In the Victory Parade, units of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan marched along the paving stones of Red Square.

Photo: gazeta.ru