On Friday Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, Chairman of the Russia Muftis Council and the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Russia, met the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Afghanistan in Russia, Dr. Abdul Qayyum Kochai.

While greeting the distinguished guest, the leader of Russian Muslims said: “We, Muslims, are happy that Mr Ambassador performs weekly Friday prayers in the Moscow Cathedral Mosque. Vladimir Putin referred to this mosque as “the main mosque of Russia” even before its renovation. Its doors are open for all Muslims, and we are pleased to welcome the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, a representative of the fraternal Afghan people”. Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin added that Russian and Afghan Muslims had strong historical ties.

In the beginning of the meeting Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin said that during complicated internal and foreign political situations in the region he was a member of Russian delegations that visited Afghanistan on a peace-support mission.

The mufti reminded that the former president Hamid Karzai visited the Moscow Cathedral Mosque in 2016.  Every year hafizs from Afghanistan participate in the International Qur'an reciting competition.

In the recent years honoured guests from Afganistan came to Russia on formal and informal visits. In 2015 the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Afghanistan, Mr Komaki Motasilu, inaugurated the Moscow Halal Expo exhibition. There is an Afghan booth at the Moscow Halal Expo Exhibition, organized together with the Embassy of Afghanistan.

Mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin mentioned that regular meetings with Afghan journalists were held in the Moscow Cathedral mosque.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Afghanistan,  Dr. Abdul Qayyum Kochai, expressed willingness to develop close relationships with Russia in regard to culture, economy, finance etc. He also said that “the people of Afghanistan are Muslims, Sunni and Hanafi, which brings us closer to Russian Muslims” and expressed conviction that this fact would promote cooperation between our countries.

The parties observed similar attitude to the majority of international issues and expressed conviction that the relationships between our countries would grow stronger.