The first deputy of the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia, principal of the Moscow Islamic University, Damir Muhetdinov visited the Islamic Sciences department under the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and the Manuscript Centre under the Ministry of Culture and Heritage within the framework of his official visit to Oman. The visit took place upon the invitation of the minister of awqaf and religious affairs of Oman, sheikh Abdallah Mohammed as-Salimi.
At the Islamic Sciences department under the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs the dean Dr Abdallah al-Hashimi and the minister’s advisor, sheikh Ziyad ben Talib al-Mawli informed the representative of the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia about the activities of the department, where 900 students and 30 foreign students are currently studying. Special attention was paid to the library of the department, which is considered to be the biggest one in Oman and contains 75000 items.

From his side Damir Muhetdinov conveyed the greetings from the leader of Russian Muslims, mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, spoke about the activities of the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia and the Moscow Islamic University, as well as history and development of Islamic education in Russia.

After that the representatives of Russian Muslims visited the Centre of Manuscripts and documents under the Ministry of Culture and Heritage of Oman. Its director Hamud ar-Rashidi guided the guests and told them about working with valuable manuscripts. There are about 5000 manuscripts in the centre, the most ancient one being around 900 years old.

During his official visit to Oman Damir Muhetdinov had a meeting with the deputy mufti of Oman, sheikh Kahlan al-Harusi. The meeting took place in the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.

At the meeting the parties discussed the cooperation issues in different areas. They touched upon many questions where their opinions coincided. The Russian guests were surprised to know that the laws of Oman do not allow to demonstrate intolerance towards other madhabs or to accuse people of disbelieving.

Damir Muhetdinov conveyed greetings from mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin to the deputy mufti of Oman, told about the activity of the Religious Board of Russian Muslims and the Moscow Islamic University, presented some books of the Madina publishing house and invited him to participate in the International Muslim Forum, which will take place on 10-12 December in Helsinki, as well as other international events organized by the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia.

Apart from that, the Russian representative had an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge software systems used for collecting zakah and organizing haj and umrah. It should be noted that Muslims in Oman are not forced by law to pay the zakah, but they do it voluntarily.