A memorandum on understanding has been signed between the Russian Muftis Council and the Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic university (Brunei Darussalam). From the Russian Muftis Council's side, the document was signed by Rushan hazrat Abbyasov, first deputy chairman of the RMC and the RBMRF, on behalf of mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin. From the side of the university it was signed by the principal Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal.

The meeting was also attended by the head of the International Relations Department of the University Adam Sammali, the head of the RMC’s International Department Ildar Galeyev and his colleagues.

The document states that the parties agree to cooperate in the area of education and conveying true Islamic values.

“The parties shall establish, promote and develop cooperation in the area of research and educational programmes, according to the Memorandum provisions, as well as the effective laws, rules, legislative acts and state policy”, ‘— says the Memorandum.

During the meeting Rushan hazrat Abbyasov conveyed greetings on behalf of mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin and spoke about the activity of Russian Muslims, in particular about educational institutions, such as the Moscow Islamic University, the Russian Islamic university (Kazan, Tatarsatn), the Islamic college of the Moscow region. He also spoke about Islam in Russia, the Muslims’ life in the Russian Federation, the Islamic education system.

In his turn, the UNISSA principal spoke about the structure of his university:

“There are five departments in our Islamic university, including Islamic law, Islamic banking, Usuluddin, Arabic language and literature. Apart from the citizens of Brunei, there are also foreign students from 35 countries studying in the university. We would be happy to see Russian students among them. The students who pass the exams with excellent results are sent to international educational centres in Arab countries and Europe”, — said Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal.

In his turn, Rushan hazrat Abbyasov also reminded that there were long-term relationships between Brunei and the Russian Muftis Council. He mentioned that a RMC delegation had visited Brunei several years before on a working trip, and in 2015 a participant from Brunei received the first prize at the Moscow International Qur’an Reciting competition.