Today the president of Kyrgyzstan, Almazbek Atambayev, visited the Moscow Cathedral Mosque and was received by mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, chairman of the Russia Muftis Council and the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Russia.
Before the meeting the head of the RMC offered the president of Kyrgyzstan a guided tour in the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, told him about the history of this Islamic temple, its architectural features that make its interior and exterior truly unique.

“The old Cathedral mosque was just 970 sq.m., whereas the size of the new mosque is 19000 sq.m. The mosque features a nice conference hall, cloakrooms, nine elevators. It is decorated with stained glass windows under the dome with the names of Allah the Almighty. The prayer hall consists of three levels, and Muslims can also pray in the halls”, — said the head of Russian Muslims.

According to mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, Russian Muslims enjoy friendly, warm relationships with their fellow believers from Kyrgyzstan. He also noted that the RMC and the Spiritual Board of Kyrgyz Muslims signed a memorandum on understanding and cooperation in various spheres (education, Islamic theology, fatwa issuance, fighting religious extremism and international terrorism).
The head of the RMC and the SBMRF also spoke about public, religious and cultural events conducted in Moscow in cooperation with the muftiate of Kyrgyzstan, including publication of religious books in Kyrgyz language by the SBMRF.

During the meeting the parties spoke about the International conference called “Spiritual Silk Route: creation and integration”, which will take place this September in Kazan. Almazbek Atambayev invited the mufti Gaynutdin to participate in the opening ceremony of the mosque, which will become the main mosque of the Republic’s muftiate.

The President of Kyrgyzstan said that Muslims should not mix Islam and Arab culture. “We have our own culture, our own traditional costumes. When people mix the notions of religion and culture, it leads to bad consequences. As Muslims we must remember about our national identity, we are Tatars, Bashkirs, Kyrgyzs etc”, — he said.

According to the president, preserving national customs and culture can save people from radicalisation. “Asian peoples have their own rich culture. We cannot blindly follow people who want to impose their own traditions on us”…— he added.

The meeting took place in a friendly and productive atmosphere. After the meeting Almazbek Atambayev left his signature in the book of distinguished visitors of the Moscow Cathedral mosque.