A delegation of Syrian doctors led by Mr Munaf Hamut, representative of the Syrian Ministry of Health, visited the Moscow Cathedral Mosque. The meeting was organised by the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs. The main objective of the visit of Syrian doctors to Russia was to share relevant medical experience, including the methods used to fight against the new coronavirus.

The delegation was received by Rushan Abbyasov, first deputy chairman of the Russia Muftis Council, Shamil Gainulin (president of the Bakhrushin Brothers Hospital, chairman of the Board of the Moscow Asociation of Doctors, chairman of the Healthcare Committee under the RMC, member of the Public Council under the Russian Ministry of Health) and Basem Al-Kubabji, head of the Traumatology Department at the 5th Municipal Polyclinic.

Rushan Abbyasov conveyed warm greetings on behalf of Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, chairman of the Russian Muftis Council and the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation, and spoke in detail about the activities of Russian Muslims, the history of the Health Committee of the RMC, emphasizing long-term cooperation with the local medical community.

The guests had the opportunity to watch a video about the activities of the Health Committee of the RMC.

In his address to to Syrian doctors Shamil Gainulin expressed the hope that their visit to Russia would be productive and that they would have the opportunity to see the work of Russian doctors. He emphasised that different doctors had received emergency training, and all efforts were currently being directed to solve the problem of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Shamil Gainulin, it was for the first time that such close cooperation between doctors and Muslim clergy was established in Russia.

"Doctors, nurses and ambulance drivers have recently received their awards here, and close cooperation was maintained during the period of self-isolation. We appreciated the support provided during these difficult months," he added.

In his welcoming speech Basem al-Kubabji, member of the Health Committee of the RMC, trauma orthopaedist, spoke about the Committee's international cooperation.

In his turn, the representative of the Syrian Ministry of Health, Munaf Hamut, noted that he highly appreciated the interaction between the Russian Muftis Council and the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia with civil society, including the medical community. He wished success and prosperity to the Health Committee of the RMC and the SBMRF and thanked the Russian representatives  for the organisation of the visit of Syrian doctors.

The Syrian doctors showed keen interest, asked questions, discussed ways of cooperation and emphasized the uniqueness of this cooperation between healthcare workers and religious leaders.

The participants also highly appreciated the Russian peacekeeping mission in Syria aimed at establishing stability and fighting terrorism.

At the end of the visit the delegation was offered a tour of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque and a dinner.