The meeting was attended by his deputies Rushan Abbyasov, Damir Mukhetdinov and Rafik Fattakhetdinov, head of the department Dinar Gainetdinov and head of the International Department of the RMC Ildar Galeev.
At the beginning of the conversation, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin conveyed greetings from the Russian ummah to the head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Sheikh Abdurrahman as-Sudais, the imams of the Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina and personally to Sheikh Mahir Al-Muaqkli.
“You are well known in Russia. Russian Muslims respect you and admire your recitation of the Holy Quran. Your visit to Russia as an honoured guest of the Moscow International Quran Reciting Competition was memorable indeed. I am sure that the imams of the Holy Mosques will continue visiting not only Moscow but also other Russian cities, ”said Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin.
Sheikh Mahir Al-Muaqkli thanked Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin for organizing his visit to Russia in 2015 and providing the opportunity to deliver the Friday sermon at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
The parties also discussed possible ways of enhancing cooperation between the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques and the Russian Muftis Council. The parties emphasized that strengthening religious ties was an important part of bilateral relations between Russia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
During the conversation, the parties particularly noted the efforts of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman aimed at developing the infrastructure in the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina, which would facilitate the performance of religious rites and provide easier access for pilgrims.
Mahir Al-Muaqli expressed interest in strengthening cooperation and expressed his readiness to take part in projects of the Russian Muftis Council and the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation aimed at preserving and spreading the true values of Islam.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم