Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, сhairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Russian Muftis Council, met Mohammad Ahmed Al-Jaber, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE to the Russian Federation, in his residence at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.

The meeting was attended by Damir Mukhetdinov, first deputy chairman of the RMC, Ildar Galeyev, head of the International Department, and Aidar Gazizov, director of the Centre for Halal Standardization and Certification.

At the beginning of the meeting the parties emphasized the importance of interaction at the highest level and direct dialogue between the leaders of Russia and the UAE, which allows to extend the scope of Russian-Emirati cooperation.

"In addition to space research, aircraft construction, military industry, agriculture, economy, business and investments, our cooperation is also actively developing in the religious sphere. Thanks to the support of the UAE diplomatic mission in Moscow, the RBMRF is strengthening contacts and relations with UAE-based government agencies and international organisations", - said Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin.

He also informed the Ambassador about a successful visit of the RMC delegation to the largest international halal food exhibition, where the delegates reached certain agreements on enhancing cooperation in the halal industry.

Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin thanked Mr Ambassador for the UAE Embassy's participation in the presentation of the first Russian translation of the encyclical written by the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, on brotherhood and friendship — "Fratelli tutti".

Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin invited the UAE representatives to participate in the celebrations on the occasion of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam by the peoples of Volga Bulgaria.

At the end of the meeting the parties agreed to deepen cooperation in religious, educational and humanitarian spheres.