Mufti Sheikh Ravil GainutdinIn met the Grand Mufti of Oman, Ahmad Al-Khalili, in the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, Muscat.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 5th International Theological Conference “Water in Islamic Law: Shariah Provisions, Civilizational Horizons, Modernity”, which is taking place these days in the Omani capital.

The meeting was attended by Damir Mukhetdinov, first deputy chairman of the RBMRF, Dinar Gainetdinov, head of the department and Ildar Galeyev, head of the international department.

During a conversation with Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khalili, one of the most renowned scholars of the Muslim world, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin spoke about the history of Islam in Russia, describing the development of Muslim infrastructure and education retrospectively and with a reference to the current practice.

“Russia has always been a multinational and multiconfessional state based on the union of Orthodox Christianity and Islam, which have been coexisting over many centuries. The Muslim ummah, which comprises more than forty indigenous peoples of Russia, emphasizes the important role of Islam, an integral part of Russian civilization. In this regard, one cannot disagree with Ismail Gaspirali, a Crimean Tatar intellectual and educator of the early twentieth century, who said that Russia, being the heart of Orthodox Christianity, would nevertheless be an integral part of the Islamic world, and this fact determines the status of our country as a great Eurasian power, ”said Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin.

The Chairman of the Russian Muftis Council and the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation emphasized that the rights of Muslims in Russia, as well as the rights of other believers, are guaranteed by law.

“The constitution of our country guarantees freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, which allows Muslims of Russia to develop Muslim infrastructure, conduct different events of international significance and develop Russian theology, taking into account the particular features and traditions of Russian society,” said the religious leader of Muslims of Russia.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khalili emphasized that the moderate views of Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin are extremely close to his own, noting that "despite the geographical remoteness of our countries, our aspirations and vision resemble a lot."

The parties emphasized that it was extremely important to promote and support the unity and integrity of the Muslim Ummah in the entire world, respecting the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw).

At the end of the meeting, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin invited the Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman to visit Russia to get acquainted with Islam in Russia and the modern state of Muslim ummah in the Russian Federation.