In the course of RMC delegation visit to a high level OSCE meeting, deputy chairman of Russia Muftis Council Rushan hazrat Abbyasov met the Vice President of the Muslim Community of Albania Gazmend Aga and the community’s head of International Relations Department Astrit Zharri. The meeting was also attended by the head of RMC international Department Renat hazrat Abyanov.

During the meeting, the sides remembered chapters of the last century’s uneasy history, noting similarities in their countries’ fates during the communist era. Hoxha’s regime in Albania destroyed 1700 mosques, while the Jum’ah Mosque was converted into a museum. For comparison, out of 15 000 mosques of Russian Empire only 100 survived Soviet period, and more than 7000 have been restored and built anew after the fall of USSR.

In Albania, over 700 mosques were restored by now, and Islamic values are experiencing active revival. A Jum’ah mosque that can hold 5000 people is being built in Tirana, capital city of Albania, while newly opened madrasas are able to educate more than 2500 students each year. In addition to that, Islamic universities prepare highly qualified specialists in the areas of theology, philology, jurisprudence and public relations.

Rushan hazrat Abbyasov gave a detailed account of the structure and activity of Russia Muftis Council. Mr Gazmend was impressed by the accomplishments made in Russia after the downfall of the USSR. Another thing that roused his interest was the upcoming International Exhibition, Moscow Halal Expo 2013, which will take place in All-Russian Exhibition Center fr om June 13 to 16, and Moscow International Qur’an Reading Contest.

In the end of the meeting, the sides confirmed their intention to establish mutual cooperation in order to promote the Islamic cause in their countries. After the meeting, Rushan hazrat Abbyasov paid visit to the residency of the Muslim Community of Albania located in the center of Tirana, and then visited the oldest mosque of the city wh ere they offered noon prayers.

After the prayer, Rushan hazrat Abbyasov had a talk with the mosque’s imam and common Muslims, and conveyed the greetings of sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin to his Albanian brothers.

RMC press office on account of Renat Abyanov