Damir Mukhetdinov took part in the international interreligious forum "Rimini meeting
On 22nd of August, 2021, Acting Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation (RBM RF), Executive Secretary of Muslim International Forum Doctor of Theology Damir Mukhetdinov took part in the largest international forum "Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples" (Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples) called "The courage to say I" (The courage to say I), organized by the Catholic association "Communion and Liberation" (Comunione e Liberazione) and held annually in the Italian city of Rimini.
Damir Mukhetdinov, at the invitation of the Italian side, spoke in an online format. As a member of the organizing committee of the World Conference on Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, scheduled to be held in St. Petersburg in 2022, the Russian Muslim figure presented at the forum in Rimini the development of theological thought in modern Russia and the Russian traditions of coexistence and dialogue in general.
The forum discussed the document of the Roman Catholic Church "Fratelli Tutti" (All Brothers), dedicated to universal brotherhood and social friendship. The Russian-language translation of the encyclical was prepared and published by the Publishing House "Medina" in December 2020 and received a public response both in Russia and abroad. The invitation to the forum also became a manifestation of great interest in the publication of "Medina", the editor-in-chief of which is Damir Mukhetdinov, the encyclical from the world community.
"I am grateful to the Creator for inspiring His servant Pope Francis to write the encyclical "Fratelli Tutti". But the pope, in turn, says that he was inspired by the meeting with Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmad at-Tayeb, " Damir Mukhetdinov began his speech.
The Doctor of Theology stressed that by publishing this encyclical, the pontiff continued the path started by the Roman Catholic Church back in 1965 with the adoption of the declaration "Nostra aetate". "Although for centuries there have been considerable disagreements and hostility between Christians and Muslims, the Holy Council calls on everyone to forget the past and sincerely strive for mutual understanding, as well as jointly protect and support social justice, moral values, peace and freedom for all people," the rector of the Moscow Islamic Institute quoted the Nostra aetate declaration.
Pope Francis continues to develop this idea and pays a lot of attention to Muslims in his encyclical, calls on all religious figures to speak with their hearts, said Damir Mukhetdinov. According to the religious figure, he saw "a lot of soul and goodness" in the text of "Fratelli Tutti".
The discussion of" Fratelli Tutti " at the relevant section of the forum was attended by David Rosen, Director of Interreligious Affairs of the American Jewish Committee and Director of the Heilbrunn Institute for International Interreligious Harmony; Cardinal Louis Raphael I Saco, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans; Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna. The meeting was led by Roberto Fontolan, director of the International Center of the Association "Communication and Liberation".
Up to 5 thousand people were present in the hall where the meeting was held, and an online broadcast was also conducted. Damir Mukhetdinov's speech made a great impression on the audience, which was expressed in words of gratitude to the organizers and a flurry of applause from the guests of the forum (the video can be found at the link https://youtu.be/3rt_MctED8Q)
For information:
Since 1980, the Rimini meeting forum has included various thematic exhibitions, round tables, concerts and other cultural events that reflect the most significant phenomena of modern life from a Christian point of view. Up to 800 thousand people visit the forum every year. Among the participants of past forums – Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), Metropolitan Filaret of Minsk and Slutsk, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Dalai Lama XIV, Swiss Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthazar, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Polish President Lech Walesa, French theologian and historian Olivier Clement, Bishop Panteleimon (Shatov), Archbishop Pavel Pezzi, director Andrey Tarkovsky, poet and ethnographer Olga Sedakova, Metropolitan Filaret (Vakhromeev), Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk and other religious figures, philosophers, politicians, representatives of the world of culture.
The Catholic Association "Communion and Liberation" (Comunione e Liberazione) is a social movement within the Catholic Church, founded in 1954 by the Italian priest and theologian Luigi Giussani. The movement is spread all over the world and is supported by many world political, public and religious figures. In 1982, the Communion and Liberation movement was recognized by the Holy See. Today, the movement has about 200,000 members worldwide.
Damir Mukhetdinov, at the invitation of the Italian side, spoke in an online format. As a member of the organizing committee of the World Conference on Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, scheduled to be held in St. Petersburg in 2022, the Russian Muslim figure presented at the forum in Rimini the development of theological thought in modern Russia and the Russian traditions of coexistence and dialogue in general.
The forum discussed the document of the Roman Catholic Church "Fratelli Tutti" (All Brothers), dedicated to universal brotherhood and social friendship. The Russian-language translation of the encyclical was prepared and published by the Publishing House "Medina" in December 2020 and received a public response both in Russia and abroad. The invitation to the forum also became a manifestation of great interest in the publication of "Medina", the editor-in-chief of which is Damir Mukhetdinov, the encyclical from the world community.
"I am grateful to the Creator for inspiring His servant Pope Francis to write the encyclical "Fratelli Tutti". But the pope, in turn, says that he was inspired by the meeting with Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmad at-Tayeb, " Damir Mukhetdinov began his speech.
The Doctor of Theology stressed that by publishing this encyclical, the pontiff continued the path started by the Roman Catholic Church back in 1965 with the adoption of the declaration "Nostra aetate". "Although for centuries there have been considerable disagreements and hostility between Christians and Muslims, the Holy Council calls on everyone to forget the past and sincerely strive for mutual understanding, as well as jointly protect and support social justice, moral values, peace and freedom for all people," the rector of the Moscow Islamic Institute quoted the Nostra aetate declaration.
Pope Francis continues to develop this idea and pays a lot of attention to Muslims in his encyclical, calls on all religious figures to speak with their hearts, said Damir Mukhetdinov. According to the religious figure, he saw "a lot of soul and goodness" in the text of "Fratelli Tutti".
The discussion of" Fratelli Tutti " at the relevant section of the forum was attended by David Rosen, Director of Interreligious Affairs of the American Jewish Committee and Director of the Heilbrunn Institute for International Interreligious Harmony; Cardinal Louis Raphael I Saco, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans; Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna. The meeting was led by Roberto Fontolan, director of the International Center of the Association "Communication and Liberation".
Up to 5 thousand people were present in the hall where the meeting was held, and an online broadcast was also conducted. Damir Mukhetdinov's speech made a great impression on the audience, which was expressed in words of gratitude to the organizers and a flurry of applause from the guests of the forum (the video can be found at the link https://youtu.be/3rt_MctED8Q)
For information:
Since 1980, the Rimini meeting forum has included various thematic exhibitions, round tables, concerts and other cultural events that reflect the most significant phenomena of modern life from a Christian point of view. Up to 800 thousand people visit the forum every year. Among the participants of past forums – Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), Metropolitan Filaret of Minsk and Slutsk, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Dalai Lama XIV, Swiss Cardinal Hans Urs von Balthazar, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Polish President Lech Walesa, French theologian and historian Olivier Clement, Bishop Panteleimon (Shatov), Archbishop Pavel Pezzi, director Andrey Tarkovsky, poet and ethnographer Olga Sedakova, Metropolitan Filaret (Vakhromeev), Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk and other religious figures, philosophers, politicians, representatives of the world of culture.
The Catholic Association "Communion and Liberation" (Comunione e Liberazione) is a social movement within the Catholic Church, founded in 1954 by the Italian priest and theologian Luigi Giussani. The movement is spread all over the world and is supported by many world political, public and religious figures. In 1982, the Communion and Liberation movement was recognized by the Holy See. Today, the movement has about 200,000 members worldwide.