After the IX International Conference of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World”, Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Council of Muftis of Russia, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin answered the question of how religious figures of Russia and the Islamic world can strengthen mutual relations between the parties. The conference on the topic “Russia - Islamic World: Fair Multipolar World Order and Secure Development” was held on May 16, 2024 in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan.
Ravil Gainutdin noted the unique role of religious figures in Russia in the period before the creation of the Russian Empire, since they were the bridge between the country and the Islamic world.
“Before the embassies of the Russian Empire, and then the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation opened, Russian Muslims in the Arab-Islamic world already had their own representative offices and friendly ties in various organizations”, - said Mufti Sheikh. Ravil Gainutdin pointed to a past event (IX International Conference of GSV “Russia – Islamic World” – editor’s note), which today demonstrates the fruitful results of the active participation of the Russian Muslim clergy as the initiators and founders of the formation of GSV “Russia – Islamic World”.
“Exactly we, even before diplomats and politicians in our country was first who realized the need to strengthen ties with the Arab and Islamic world, began to build these relationships at the level of public diplomacy”, - emphasized Ravil Gainutdin.
Mufti Sheikh expressed the opinion that the unique role of the Russian Muslim clergy, in view of the trust in them from the Islamic world, should be demanded by both government authorities and Russian society.
“The Islamic world respects the Muslims of Russia and knows the position of Russian Muslims as patriots of their country who want to strengthen and develop relations of the Russian Federation with the Arab and Islamic world”, - said Mufti Sheikh.
Ravil Gainutdin also said that during visits to Arab and Islamic countries to hold joint meetings, the Russian Muslim clergy explains the policies of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the state as a whole. In this way, a respectful attitude towards the President of Russia and the entire country is built.
“Of course, the role of the Muslim clergy is that we are a bridge and know how to speak brotherly, on a respectful and trusting level, which makes it possible to strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding between our country and the Islamic world”, - concluded the Mufti of Russia.
It is important to note that Ravil Gainutdin also spoke during the conference itself. In his speech, Mufti Sheikh paid special attention to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and noted that Russia has never pursued a colonial policy in the Middle East in an attempt to pit people against each other to obtain resources. Ravil Gainutdin proposed that the leaders of Middle Eastern states jointly resist provocations to restore peace and security in the region. Mufti Sheikh also quoted President Vladimir Putin: “Russia values friendly ties with Muslim countries, highly appreciates their desire to pursue an independent foreign policy and increase their role in international affairs”.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"