After the Friday service in the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, a bilateral meeting was held between the Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, and the Minister, Chairman of the General Directorate of Islamic and Waqf Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Dr. Omar Habtoor Al-Der'i.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Muftis Rushan Abbyasov and Ildar Galeyev, employees of the General Directorate of Islamic and Waqf Affairs of the UAE, as well as UAE Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Russian Federation Dr. Muhammad Ahmed Al-Jaber.

The spiritual leader of Russian Muslims expressed his sincere gratitude to Dr. Al-Der'i for his visit to Russia and his heartfelt sermon delivered in the main mosque of the country. The head of the Russian RBM conveyed to the minister warm words of greetings to UAE President Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the brotherly people of the Emirates.

The parties noted with satisfaction the fruitfulness of joint projects, which in recent years have become a vivid example of constructive dialog and cultural interaction. Among them are the successful holding of the XXI Moscow International Quran Recitation Contest and the BRICS Holy Quran Award and the meeting of leaders of Muslim organizations of the BRICS countries held in Kazan. The participants of the meeting were unanimous in their opinion that these events emphasized the importance of spiritual and moral values in the changing world and contributed to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Russia and the UAE.

Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin warmly recalled his recent visits to the UAE in February and March of this year, during which he met with UAE President Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Rector of the Muhammad bin Zayed University of Humanities Dr. Khalifa Mubarak Al-Zahiri, and Mr. Al-Der'i himself. The head of the Russian RBM also mentioned his participation in the closing ceremony of the At-Tahbir International Award of the Holy Quran and Quranic Sciences, where he was honored with a special award for spreading humanistic values in the world, serving the highest human ideals expressed in tolerance, love and mutual respect. The Mufti noted that this award belongs to all Muslims of Russia.

During the meeting, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin also emphasized the role of UAE Ambassador to the Russian Federation Dr. Muhammad Al Jaber in strengthening and developing relations between the two countries.

In conclusion, the sides confirmed their readiness to continue working on joint spiritual, humanitarian and cultural projects aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Russia and the United Arab Emirates.