On Saturday, May 10, a meeting was held between the Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is in Moscow these days at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Muftis: Damir Mukhetdinov, Rushan Abbyasov, Ildar Galeev, Farit Farisov and Dinar Gaynetdinov.

Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin on behalf of the multimillion Muslim Ummah of Russia and himself expressed deep gratitude to the President of Palestine for his visit and participation in the Victory Parade. He emphasized that this is an important gesture of solidarity and testifies to the deep respect of the Palestinian people for the historical memory of the deed done by our ancestors in the fight against fascism.

The Mufti noted that despite the decades that have passed, the echoes of destructive ideologies still linger. In these conditions, the multinational army of Russia is again standing up to defend justice, honor and memory of their ancestors, defending the principles of a multipolar and just world.

In the course of the conversation, the spiritual leader of Russian Muslims reminded that the Palestinian people like no one else knows the price of struggle and fortitude - for more than half a century they have been fighting for the right to live on their land. In this regard, the Mufti expressed full support for the unwavering position of the leadership of the Russian Federation, which consists in the need to implement UN resolutions and recognize Palestine as an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Mufti emphasized that the Muslims of Russia express categorical condemnation of the massacres of the civilian population of Gaza, are extremely concerned about the scale of the humanitarian disaster and urge to ensure unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the residents of the sector. He noted that the Russian Ummah does not limit itself to prayerful support: collections and shipments of humanitarian aid are regularly organized, days of solidarity and charity actions are held in support of the residents of Gaza.

In his response, the Palestinian President expressed gratitude to Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin and, in his person, to all Muslims of Russia for their support and solidarity. He noted that it was of fundamental importance for him to personally attend the parade, sharing with the people of Russia the memory of the Great Victory - the common heritage of all mankind, which cannot be rewritten or forgotten.

At the end of the meeting, the Head of the Russian RBM presented Mahmoud Abbas with a copy of the Quran of Uthman. The President thanked for this gift, calling it truly priceless.