Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, chairman of the Russia Muftus Council and the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation, met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iraq to the Russian Federation, Abdel Rahman Hamid Al-Husseini. The meeting was attended by Rushan Abbyasov, first deputy chairman of the RMC, and Ildar Galeyev, head of the International Department.

In his conversation with the Ambassador Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin noted that this year Russian Muslims celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the official adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria, which includes the festivities held at the federal level.  The Mufti stressed the role of Baghdad in that historically important event that took place in 922, when a mission from Baghdad arrived to Volga Bulgaria on behalf of the caliph Al-Muqtadir and witnessed the conversion to Islam by the people of this ancient state. He also added that the lands of Volga Bulgaria included not only the territory of modern Tatarstan, but also a number of neighbouring regions.

While speaking about the contribution of Iraq to the world history, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin called this country a cradle of civilizations with rich historical, cultural and spiritual legacy, which, unfortunately, was undermined by terrorist attacks. He also pointed out that thanks to the actions of the army, government and solidarity of the Iraqi people, it became possible to eliminate this threat and defeat ISIS.

In the context of the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the official adoption of Islam by the peoples of the Volga Bulgaria the leader of the Russian Muslims spoke about the events schedules in different regions of Russia. Mr. Al-Husseini emphasized the historical importance of these events. The Iraqi ambassador also added that representatives of Iraqi religious organisations and agencies were intending to take part in the planned celebrations.

The head of the RMC noted that Russian and Iraqi Muslims have a long-standing relationship founded on joint projects and developed contacts. One of the latest major events was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia and the Sunni Endowment office of Iraq, which took place in 2019, when the head of Sunni Endowment office Sheikh Abdulatif Al-Hameim. Mr Ambassador noted that the Islamic Law Academy, which deals with the Hanafi fiqh, works under the Imam Abu Hanifa University. He laso expressed his readiness to promote bilateral contacts between the Academy and the RMC and RBMRF.

At the end of the meeting the parties expressed confidence that the Russian-Iraqi relations and long-term cooperation in religious, educational, cultural and other spheres will expand.