Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin met the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India in the Russian Federation, Mr. Pankaj Saran, in the Moscow Cathedral Mosque. The meeting was attended by the embassy staff, as well as the Rushan Abbyasov (first deputy chairman of the RMC), Damir Mukhetdinov (first deputy of the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia), Ildar Nurimanov (head of the administration of the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia), and Ildar Galeyev (head of the international department).


Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin spoke about the history of Islam in Russia, the reconstruction of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, the activities of the Russian Muftis Council. He also recalled some historical facts regarding some Russian Muslims, including Musa Bigiev, who fought against the colonization of India.

The leader of Russian Muslims spoke about the interest of Russians to India, its people, history, culture, music and cinema. He also mentioned about the participation of Indian filmmakers in the International Muslim Film Festival, which is held every year in Kazan. One of their films was dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.


The head of Russian Muslims invited the Indian guests to participate in our most large-scale projects, e.g. the Muslim International Forum and the Silk Road Conference, which cover many Muslim, Asian and European countries.

Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin said that cooperation in the field of religious education could be one of the possible cooperation areas. He noted the global importance of such educational centres as the well-known centre of Islamic knowledge ,"Dar al Ulum Deoband."

The Mufti emphasized that cooperation in these areas would bring our countries close together and would contribute to improving the situation in the world.

In return, the Ambassador conveyed greetings from the people of India. He spoke about understanding the importance of cooperation with Russia and shared his impressions from the trips to Tatarstan and other regions, which he called “heartlands of tolerance”. "The world will not be destroyed if we together fight against terrorism, which has no religion and no nationality. Terrorism is an evil that can be destroyed by common efforts, "said the Ambassador Pankaj Saran.


"I know about your contribution not only to the development of Islam, but also to the development of the Russian society," said the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to the Russian Federation Pankaj Saran. He accepted the Mufti's invitation to participate in the projects and added that he would consider the options ensuring participation of his country's representatives.