Today Damir Muketdinov, first deputy chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation, rector of the Moscow Islamic Institute met the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Qatar to the Russian Federation Sheikh Ahmed Bin Nasser Al-Thani. The meeting was held at the residence of the Ambassador of Qatar in Moscow.

Damir Mukhetdinov spoke about preparations for celebrating the 1100th anniversary of official adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria in 2022. The programme was officially launched after the traditional meeting of the President Vladimir Putin with religious activists in 2020. Following the meeting on 4 November 2020, the head of state supported the initiative and provided the relevant instructions to the Government of the Russian Federation.

Damir Mukhetdinov expressed hope that Qatar would participate in the World Conference on Inter-religious and Inter-ethnic Dialogue, which is going to be held on 16-18 May in St. Petersburg, as well as in the 18th International Muslim Forum scheduled for December 2022 in Moscow.

The Qatari ambassador expressed his interest in strengthening the friendly ties between their countries. He also confirmed that senior officials of Qatar would attend the events marking the 1100th anniversary of the official adoption of Islam by the Volga Bulgaria.

During the meeting the representative of the Religious Board of Muslims presented the Qatari diplomat with a book issued by the "Medina" publishing house and briefed him on the latest novelties, including books from the "Revival and Renewal" series.

At the end of the meeting the parties exchanged gifts and agreed on cooperation in various fields.