On Saturday morning, Head of Russia Muftis Council mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin welcomed Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in RMC residency.

This amicable meeting initiated by Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu was also attended by Kamil Shamilyevich Iskhakov, former head of Russian mission to OIC, RMC deputy chairman Rushan hazrat Abbyasov, Haris hazrat Saubyanov and Mustafa hazrat Kutukcu.

Mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin expressed his gratitude to the distinguished guest for his help in supporting RMC’s old claim of Russia obtaining the status of observer state in OIC.

Spiritual leader of Russian Muslims noted that the head of OIC has always paid due attention to the Russian mission and was always aware of the pressing questions of the Russian part of the Ummah. “Today we have an opportunity to share our recent developments and our plans in the sphere of education, promotion of interfaith dialogue and consolidation of Russian society,” said Ravil hazrat.

Both parties expressed their firm belief that Islam is a religion of peace revealed by Almighty God to bring peace and prosperity to the Earth.

“Islam strongly denounces terrorism, and all Muslim religious and public figures, all Muslims who keep their faith are ready to stand up against extremism and radicalism. The spread of radicalism must be brought to a halt, and it’s the duty of every believer to bring it to a halt.” This is the maxim that both parties support, noting the necessity to establish clear border between religion and terror, religion and extremism. They also stressed the importance of avoiding deviations that may form distorted, negative reception of the deen of Islam, and noted the significance of restoring the original positive image of Islam, corrupted by those who blame religion in political and social problems.

Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu once again denoted the universal importance of Russia’s Islamic thought that expressed itself in the Jadidi movement of late XIX century.

“This great religious legacy of Russia’s Muslims is a common heritage of all mankind that can give new momentum to the true understanding of Islam, peaceful coexistence of all nations and religious traditions,” said OIC Secretary-General, speaking of our Islamic scholars.

Dr Ihsanoglu, who represents an international organization that unites more than 60 countries, was familiarized with the current progress in the reconstruction of Moscow Jum’ah Mosque and toured around the whole complex, which is nearing the stage of finishing works. He approved of the decision of former president Dmitry Medvedev and acting president Vladimir Putin to visit the site of the mosque in 2009.

In the end of the meeting, parties expressed their content over full understanding and shared outlook on problems.