Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet today with representatives of all major religious denominations in Russia to discuss both the international and domestic agenda. The president plans to express his gratitude to the clerics for their role in fostering unity and harmony within the country and consolidating Russian society.
Those invited to the meeting include Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia Ravil Gainutdin, Mufti and Chairman of the Coordination Center of Muslims of the North Caucasus Ismail Berdiev, Chairman of the Central Religious Board of Muslims of Russia Talagat Tajuddin, head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia Damba Ayusheev, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar, Metropolitan Cornelius of Moscow and All Rus' of the Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church, Ezras, head of the Russian and New Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and Sergei Ryakhovsky, head bishop of the Russian United Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals). It's possible that other religious leaders may also attend the meeting.
Putin routinely holds meetings with representatives of Russia's traditional religions, with some of these meetings coinciding with People's Unity Day, observed on November 4. These discussions encompass a wide range of topics. During one such meeting in the past year, President Putin addressed the country's history, international pressures on Russia from the West, and the situation in Ukraine.
The Russian president places significant emphasis on the unique role of religion. In a meeting in 2020, Putin had four sacred texts present: the Bible, the Quran, the Torah, and the Ganjur. He read quotes about love for one's neighbor from each of these texts and underscored the importance of fruitful interaction between different religious and ethnic groups as a fundamental element of Russia's foundation.
Putin, known to be a believer himself, regularly attends Orthodox services while respecting all religions. During his visit to Derbent, he visited the Juma mosque and conversed with its chairman, Seid-Yahya Seidov. On that occasion, he expressed Russia's deep respect for the Quran and emphasized that insulting religious sentiments in Russia is considered a crime.
Putin's belief is grounded in the notion that every individual is born with faith in God within their soul, though the realization of this faith may occur at different times and under various circumstances. While he acknowledges his own belief, Putin has maintained that the question of when he personally began to believe in God is intimate and not something he discusses in public.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS