A delegation of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan led by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq visited the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation today to get acquainted with the life of the Muslim community in Russia. The meeting with the clergy was the first item in the programme of the official visit of a representative delegation of the Pakistani parliament to Russia.

The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was met by Mufti Damir Mukhetdinov, Acting Chairman of the RBM of the Russian Federation, and conveyed greetings on behalf of the spiritual leader of Russian Muslims, Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin.

He acquainted Mr Sardar Ayaz Sadik with the history of Russian Muslims, including the process of spiritual and institutional revival in recent decades and the decisive role in this process of the political will and position to strengthen inter-ethnic peace and harmony in the state of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Dr. Damir Mukhetdinov said that during this time more than 10 thousand mosques have been built in Russia, 8 Islamic institutes have been opened, Muslim literature has been published, the intellectual potential of Russian Muslimism is developing, inter-religious dialogue, especially between Orthodoxy and Islam, is expanding and consistently strengthening.

The RBM Chairman noted the role of Russian Muslim statesmen who have dedicated their lives to strengthening Russian statehood and at the same time play a significant role in the development of Russian Muslimism, including Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Chairman of the Government of Russia, Ramzan Kadyrov, Head of the Chechen Republic, Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Suleiman Kerimov, member of the Federation Council and others.

In his response, Mr Sardar Ayaz Sadiq admitted that he had not expected to see such a developed Muslim community in Russia. The Pakistani statesman stressed that Russian leader Vladimir Putin's stance on creating opportunities for free worship and community life for religious organisations of different traditions was admirable and respectful.

‘The prayers of 25 million Russian Muslims for the health of their president are joined by those of 250 million Muslims in Pakistan,’ he said.

‘Our visit to Moscow is intended to show both to the Russian public and to the entire world, the firm desire of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to strengthen co-operation with the Russian Federation in every possible way. Representatives of the entire political spectrum of Pakistan - of all parties and views - are unanimous in this endeavour,’ the Pakistani parliamentary leader said.

Referring to the current international agenda, the Pakistani statesman drew attention to the common position of Russia and Pakistan on the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and ending the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. He said the Muslim world is grateful to the Russian leader for his firm and consistent position on this issue.

Muhammad Farooq Sattar, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Privatisation of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Farooq Sattar, Deputy Chairman of the DUM of the Russian Federation for International Affairs and Hajj Rushan Abbyasov, Secretary of the Presidium of the Central Council of the Party for Foreign Relations, member of the Presidium of the Central Council of the party ‘Just Russia - For Truth’ Gajimurad Omarov and others spoke at the meeting about the development of Russian-Pakistani relations and strengthening of Islamic solidarity.



The Russian Muslim community was represented at the meeting by Chairman of the Council of Elders of the RBM of the Russian Federation Damir Gizatulin, Chairman of the Council of Qaddees of the RBM of the Russian Federation, Mufti of Moscow Ildar Alyautdinov, Deputy Chairman of the RBM of the Russian Federation Ildar Nurimanov, Ravil Seifetdinov, Dinar Gaynetdinov and others.

In memory of today's meeting, Dr Damir Mukhetdinov presented Mr Sardar Ayaz Sadik with a reprint edition of the Noble Quran, first issued in St Petersburg in 1787 by order of Empress Catherine II.

Press service of the DUM of the Russian Federation