The first deputy chairman of the Russia Muftis Council, rector of the Moscow Islamic Institute, chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, Damir Muhetdinov, paid an official visit to Rome, Italy, where he met the dean of the Theological Faculty of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Stip Djuric.

The meeting was attended by the director of the US Centre for Interreligious Understanding Jack Bemporad, as well as the St. Petersburg imam Salih Kadeev.

It should be noted that Imam Salih Kadeev had a one-year internship in Italy within the framework of the program on interfaith dialogue. A graduate of the Moscow Islamic Institute, Salih Kadeyev is studying at the Oriental Faculty of the St. Petersburg University following the state program for specialists with an in-depth knowledge of the Islamic history and culture.

At the meeting, Damir Mukhetdinov conveyed greetings on behalf of the head of the Russia Muftis Council, mufti of sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, and spoke about the activities implemented by the RMC in the field of interfaith dialogue.

“Russian Muslims are trying to make their contribution to the development of interfaith dialogue, which is proven by the history of Islam in our country. And the fact that a Russian imam, who is a graduate of an Islamic university, undertakes an internship at a Catholic university, means a lot. It's good to know that this dialogue is developing, and may God allow us to live in peace and prosperity."

Professor Bemporad said that they were open to further cooperation in the field of interfaith dialogue. He expressed the hope that imams, graduates of Islamic universities would keep coming to study in Rome.