In the framework of the visit of Russia Muftis Council’s delegation to the Eurasian Islamic Congress in Istanbul, the Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin met with Mehmet Germez, Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Turkey.

The leader of Muslims of Russia welcomed the Turkish minister on behalf of the multi-million Russian umma and thanked for the invitation to participate in this important Congress. Mufti said that the presence at the opening ceremony of the Prime Minister of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan raised the status of the event and showed the importance the secular state shows towards the management of religious affairs.

The head of the Muslims of Russia said that during its presidency in the second plenary session of the Congress, he made a proposal to create a permanent General Secretariat of the Eurasian Islamic Council, where he stressed the necessity to make joint statements and related documents on issues of concern to the Muslim Ummah of Eurasia, as well as ongoing events in the world. Secretariat of the Council should also contribute to a unified approach to the definition of holiday dates and early months of the lunar calendar. "We support your proposal and will certainly make in the outcome of our Congress, and will soon begin to form the General Secretariat of the Eurasian Islamic Council" - said Mehmet Germez. Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia thanked the Minister and the Office of Religious Affairs of Turkey for a fruitful long-term partnership that allows implementing many projects. In his turn, Mehmet Germez noted that in the future Turkish side will support the programs and projects of the Council of Muftis of Russia as part of the signed agreement of understanding and cooperation.

The parties discussed a number of important questions regarding the reconstruction of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, preparing Islamic Encyclopedia in Russian language, translation of the book "Moscow Muslim" into Turkish. Another topic was the upcoming annual theological conference to be held on 27 November this year under the chairmanship of the Council of Muftis of Russia, and with the support of the Office of Religious Affairs of Turkey.

RMC Press-Service