Religious Board of Muslims of Russian Federation Delegation on 31st GulFood Exhibition 27.01.2026 12:05From January 26 to January 30, a delegation from the Russian Muslim Spiritual Directorate (RMS) is participating in the 31st Gulfood International Food Industry Exhibition in Dubai, which annually attracts more than 6,500 exhibitors from 130 countries.
The delegation is led by Damir Khazrat Mukhetdinov, First Deputy Chairman of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the Russian Federation. The delegation also includes Rafik Fattakhetdinov, Deputy Chairman and Chief of Staff; Aidar Gazizov, General Director of the Halal International Center for Social and Cultural Affairs; and specialists from the Halal Center's International Department. The delegation also includes the heads of Halal Ash and Ecoprod.
The opening ceremony of the Russian exhibition under the Made in Russia brand, which this year occupied a record-breaking space of over 2,000 square meters and featured approximately 140 companies, was attended by Russian Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut, General Director of the Russian Export Center Veronika Nikishina, and Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.
"The Middle East has very high quality standards and requirements, and our manufacturers always strive to meet them. I am confident that Russian products are among the highest quality in the world. Of course, halal products are a separate category at the exhibition. Russia receives new certificates every year; last year, we received approval for halal products in four more countries ," the minister noted.
" The Persian Gulf countries, especially the UAE as a regional hub, are a strategic destination for Russian exports. We are the leader in grain exports here, and there is also high demand for confectionery, butter, poultry, and beef. We have scheduled over 900 meetings with potential partners for our exporters to find buyers for Russian products ," emphasized Veronika Nikishina, General Director of the Russian Export Center.
As per tradition, the Halal Industry Development Center's stand was located in the welcoming venue of the Republic of Tatarstan. During a VIP tour of the exhibit, Aidar Gazizov briefed Russian Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut and REC General Director Veronika Nikishina, and Rais Tatarstan Chairman Rustam Minnikhanov on the Halal Industry Development Center's activities.
"The center was founded 24 years ago by decree of the spiritual leader of Russian Muslims, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Hazrat Gainutdin, and has 12 years of practical experience facilitating the export of Russian halal products. Today, there is virtually no Arab-Muslim country to which domestic halal products cannot be shipped, given that in November 2025, we received accreditation in the largest Muslim country, Indonesia ," said Aidar Gazizov.
In response to Minister Oksana Luth's question about the status of the Malaysian market opening, Aidar Gazizov responded that, thanks to her personal involvement and the involvement of Malaysian Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Security Mohammed bin Sabu, the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as the extensive work of the Penzamoinvest and Halal Center for Social and Social Development, the first batch of turkey products was delivered to the Malaysian market in December of last year.
As part of the 31st Gulfood International Food Industry Exhibition, a delegation from the Russian Muslim Spiritual Directorate plans to hold meetings with Russian and international partners, as well as with organizations interested in Halal certification.
