Mass media coverage of the charitable activity of the Muslim community of Russia can decrease the level of Islamophobia in society, says the head of Russian Muslimas Union Nailya Ziganshina.

"By actively covering [our] social activity in the media, we can not only decrease the possible level of Islamophobia in society, but also attract attention from the youth and philanthropists who could help us implement new social projects. If people see that mosques are involved in useful beneficial work, there's a high possibility that people would flock to us," said Ziganshina on the first International Moscow Forum "Religion and Peace" that started in RIA Novosti office on Friday.

She also mentioned the main social problems that Islamic organizations are addressing: helping disabled people and children with deviant behaviour, dealing with alcohol and drug abuse, helping single mothers and settling minor ethnic and religious conflicts.

Ziganshina added that Russian mosques take patronage over orphanages, organize summer camps for children and fund-raising dinners for the poor and needy. Besides that, said the expert, mosques are nowadays becoming sites for adaptation of Muslim immigrants.

"It's not the immigrants that should influence Russian Muslims, quite the opposite: local Muslims should influence them," she said.

Source: RIA Novosti