A delegation from the Federation Council, led by Senator Ilyas Umakhanov, engaged in discussions with Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah regarding the organization of the pilgrimage for Russian Muslims in 2024. The Saudi minister expressed his intention to visit Russia for the first time in 2024, as reported by the FC press service.
"During the meeting, the main topic of conversation revolved around the organization of the pilgrimage for Russian Muslims to the holy places in Saudi Arabia, encompassing both the big and small hajj," stated the press service, noting that the issues discussed included air travel, transportation, medical services, and accommodation for pilgrims.
In addition to the discussions with the Saudi minister, the Russian delegation, including Senator Umakhanov, met with Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha. The discussions focused on the development of cooperation between Russia and Muslim countries. "The OIC secretary-general expressed the organization's commitment to active collaboration with the Russian Federation and the readiness of member states to participate in various international forums hosted by Russia, including the Russia-Africa summit, the International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum," and the Eurasian Women's Forum," the report reads.
The international conference held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, brought together a Russian delegation led by Umakhanov, the Commissioner for Hajj Affairs of the Commission on Religious Associations of the Russian government. Alongside Umakhanov were key members, including Belan Khamchiev, the Deputy Chairman of the FC Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy and Nature Management, Krym Kazanokov, the member of the SF Committee on Defense and Security, and Hizbula Asuev, the Head of the Hajj Commission of Russia. The conference witnessed the participation of representatives from public authorities, financial institutions, and major international and regional companies serving pilgrims from more than 80 countries.
The hajj, one of the pillars of Islam, represents the obligatory pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca and Medina. The focal point of this pilgrimage is Eid al-Adha, one of the two major Islamic holidays.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS