On the sidelines of the 18th International Muslim Forum a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Directorate for Religious Affairs of Turkey and the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation. The memorandum covers theological and legal rulings (fatwas) for a period of five years. The 18th Annual International Muslim Forum is dedicated to the theme "Justice and Moderation: Divine Principles of the World Order". The Forum is dedicated to the 1400th anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad's hijrah and the 1100th anniversary of the official adoption of Islam by the peoples of Volga Bulgaria. Religious leaders, academicians, political and public figures from 30 countries came to the Russian capital to take part in the Forum.

The document stipulates particular interaction between the Ulema Council of the RBMRF and the Supreme Council of the Directorate of Religious Affairs of Turkey on fatwa issuing. According to the signed Memorandum, the parties agreed to exchange experience in matters relating to theological and legal rulings (fatwas), sucg as the issuing methodology, translation of theological and academic publications, training and methodological materials and educational programmes, and conducting joint conferences.

The memorandum was signed by Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the RMC and Secretary General of the IMF, and Dr Ali Erbas, chairman of the Diyanet of the Republic of Turkey.