Russia looks forward to further active cooperation with Pakistan in specialized forums, including the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World." This was stated in the Russian Foreign Ministry's responses distributed Friday to media questions received in time for Foreign Minister SergeiyLavrov's press conference.
"We are alarmed by both manifestations of religious intolerance and derogatory attitudes toward Islam, Christianity, and other faiths under the guise of the right to freedom of speech and creativity. The close positions of Moscow and Islamabad in this regard creates a good basis for our fruitful cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as one of the most influential countries of the Islamic world," - the diplomatic office noted. - "We look forward to further active cooperation in specialized forums, including the GSV "Russia-Islamic World".
The MFA added that Russia "respects religious feelings of believers and considers it necessary to make efforts to ensure freedom of religion".
"It is not allowed in Russia to insult the religious feelings of believers. In accordance with the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, such actions are punishable by up to imprisonment. According to the principle of separation of powers, adoption of any additional laws, including those in this area, falls within the competence of parliament - the State Duma and the Federation Council," the MFA said.
The Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World" was created in 2006 after Russia joined the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as an observer. It includes 33 well-known statesmen and public figures from 27 countries, including former prime ministers and foreign ministers and major theologians from Indonesia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait and other states.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS