Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, Chairman of the Russia Muftis Council and the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation met the mayor of Ankara, Mansur Yavas, and his delegation at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.

The meeting was attended by other representatives of the RMC and RBMRF: Rushan Abbyasov, Damir Gizatullin, Damir Mukhetdinov, lldar Galeev, Ildar Nurimov.

Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin spoke about the international activities of the RMC and the RBMRF, as well as the relations and cooperation of Russian and Turkish Muslims and contacts with the Directorate of Religious Affairs of Turkey.

" Turkey provided immense support for the construction of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, since Turkish builders participated in the construction works and Turkish artists hand-painted the interior of the mosque. On September 23, 2015, the Moscow mosque opened its doors. We were able to preserve the architecture of the old building, and a special tent for worshipers was set up during the reconstruction. Our mosque is more than 115 years old and has never closed its doors, even during the war or the period when Soviet atheism reigned here, "added Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin.

The mayor of Ankara, Mr. Yavas, expressed a high opinion of the activities of the religious boards headed by Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin and confirmed his commitment to cooperation with the Russian Muslim community.

At the end of the meeting, the parties exchanged gifts. After the excursion, a collective prayer was performed in the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.