Muslims, who number about 20 million in Russia, do not pose a threat to the country, but unity, said Mufti Albir Krganov, the chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia.
The Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia and the Russian Association for the Protection of Religious Freedom presented a report on Monday at a press conference at the Russia Today news agency, "On the Situation with Respect for the Rights of Muslims in the Russian Federation."
"According to various expert opinions, up to 20 million Muslims live in Russia. Muslims are not a threat to Russia but the preservation of unity and mutual understanding - and this is proven by time," Krganov said.
According to Vladimir Zorin, the chairman of the Russian Public Chamber's Commission on Interethnic and Interreligious Relations, there are under 17 million native Muslims in Russia, and "if we add migrants," 70% of whom are Muslims, the total figure of 20 million is correct, he said.
"The main thing is how we are integrated, how we interact with Muslim organizations, and here we are an example for the whole world," Zorin concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Mikhail Metzel / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti