Yesterday, on Sunday, Ramadan Tent hosted Turkish evening which was attended by diplomatic corps of the country, Turkish guest imams, representatives of other peoples and creeds of Turkey, students and men of arts.

In accordance with the Muslim tradition, the event started with the recitation of the ayahs fr om the Holy Qur'an. Religious advisor of the Turkish embassy Mr Dursun Aygьn congratulated Muslims with the beginning of the month of Ramadan and wished everyone happiness and well-being. "Ramadan is the month of mercy, pious deeds and acts of kindness. It is a month of salvation, when we cleanse ourselves from the year's spiritual impurities; by repenting, we may hope for Allah's mercy. Ramadan is also a month of unity, brotherhood, mutual understanding and help. On this evening in the Ramadan Tent, I ask Almighty Allah to send peace to the nations of our world."

Ildar Galeev, head of RMC international department, read the guests of the tent greeting message of the Chairman of Russia Muftis Council mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, which read: "[Muslims of] Russia and Turkey are united by the bonds of brotherhood; we share close language, culture, history and faith. These are the strong ties that hold together the bridges of our friendship and cooperation. And it's not surprising that the Turks were first to support and help us with the Ramadan Tent project, seeing in it a great benefit for Russia's Muslims. Recently, other regions of Russia started organizing Ramadan Tents of their own."

Ministerial adviser on religious affairs Mr Mustafa Kütükçü thanked Russia Muftis Council and all organizers of the Ramadan Tent for a wonderful evening and stressed that the Ramadan Tent is a place of respect and understanding, wh ere people know and understand each other. Gцkhan Turan, consul ambassador of Turkey, noted that the relations between Turkey and Russia are steadily developing and that "the countries have reached full understanding in religious area, this Ramadan Tent being yet another evidence of this."

"We will, of course, support this beautiful tradition," he said.

Later in the evening, imams from Turkey performed religious chants (nasheeds). Iftar began after the athan.

Staff reporter