Mufti Gaynutdin met with Apostolic Nuncio Giovanni d’Agnello
On 29th of April, 2021, the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation (RBM RF) hosted a meeting of the Chairman of the RBM RF, General Secreatry of the Muslim International Forum Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Russia, Archbishop Giovanni d’Agnello. First Deputy Chairman, Doctor of Theology, Executive Secretary of the Muslim International Forum Damir Mukhetdinov, Deputy Chairman – Chief of Staff Ildar Nurimanov and Deputy Chairman for Internal Affairs Ravil Seifetdinov were also present on the part of RBM RF.
Greeting the distinguished guest warmly, Mufti Gaynutdin stressed that the history of cooperation between the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Apostolic Nunciature in Russia goes back many years and includes holding conferences, publishing books, and cooperation in the science sphere. Among them, the religious leader of Russian Muslims recalled the international conference held in Moscow in 2005, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Nostra Letate, which was the first of the Catholic Church in Russia.
The most important of the recent events, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin noted, was the presentation of the Russian translation of the encyclical of Pope Francis "On Brotherhood and Social Friendship", published by Russian Muslims, held jointly in March this year. The encyclical, which is a continuation of the Declaration on Human Brotherhood for World Peace and Living Together, signed in July 2019 in Abu Dhabi by Pope Francis and the Supreme Imam of Al-Azhar University, Ahmad al-Tayeb, meets the interests of all mankind, the mufti stressed. He pointed out the importance of the joint efforts made in the preparation and dissemination to the general public of the encyclical for representatives of different faiths in Russia and the society of the country as a whole.
"This shows the openness of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation to cooperation. I hope that our personal acquaintance and further interaction will benefit our religious communities. The teachings of our religions and the word spoken by Pope Francis about fraternity and social friendship encourage us to do this, " he said. According to Mufti Gaynutdin, the Muslims of Russia and the Islamic world treat Pope Francis with great respect.
Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin also drew the attention of the Apostolic nuncio to another platform that has become a solid foundation for interreligious interaction - the Muslim International Forum, more than 10 meetings of which were held in the Eurasian space, bringing together representatives of the Muslim world and other religious traditions. The Chairman of the RBM RF highly appreciated the support provided by the Vatican in holding the forums in London and Helsinki, as well as the participation of its representatives in them. Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Gixot, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Prefect of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims, made a report at the XVI International Muslim Forum, which was held in an online format.
The next goal, Mufti Gaynutdin said, is to hold a forum in the Italian capital: "We do not give up our desire, if the epidemiological situation allows, to hold the XVII Muslim International Forum in Rome with the support of the Roman Catholic Church."
Archbishop Giovanni d’Agnello thanked Mufti Gaynutdin for the warm hospitality and fully expressed his support for the organization of the Muslim International Forum in Rome.
By his presence at this meeting, the nuncio assured, he confirms his readiness to develop the cooperation that took place between the Apostolic nunciature and the RBM RF earlier. In this context, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin recalled the meetings of his first deputy, Rector of the Moscow Islamic Institute, Doctor of Theology, Executive Secretary of The Muslim International Forum Damir Mukhetdinov with Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Jean-Louis Tauran in 2017 and his successor, Cardinal Gixot, in February 2020 in Rome.
Special thanks to Mufti Ravil Gaynutdin and the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation Senor Giovanni d’Agnello expressed gratitude for the translation of the Papal encyclical "Fratelli tutti" into Russian. The Apostolic Nuncio also congratulated Russian Muslims on the publication of books from the series "Rebirth and Renewal", and thanked the religious administration for the copies presented to the nunciature.
Speaking about the interreligious dialogue, the Apostolic Nuncio stressed the desire that exists on both sides and added that for its development, it is necessary to hold meetings that must precede the dialogue, both at a high level and at a less formal level, which allows us to move from the conceptual level of friendship to the personal one. This is the nature of friendship between nations and people, the Archbishop noted, assuring that for his part he is always ready for a meeting, dialogue and cooperation.
"The world is losing many values. One of them is the brotherhood. That is why the Pope speaks of the importance of restoring and promoting the brotherhood, " the archbishop added.
At the end of the meeting, Senor Giovanni d’Agnello expressed hope for continued cooperation and invited Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin to a meeting at his residence. The Nuncio also wished the Muslims of Russia a blessed continuation of the month of Ramadan and a good celebration of Eid al-Fitr. At the end of the event, Archbishop Giovanni was given a guided tour of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
Greeting the distinguished guest warmly, Mufti Gaynutdin stressed that the history of cooperation between the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Apostolic Nunciature in Russia goes back many years and includes holding conferences, publishing books, and cooperation in the science sphere. Among them, the religious leader of Russian Muslims recalled the international conference held in Moscow in 2005, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Nostra Letate, which was the first of the Catholic Church in Russia.
The most important of the recent events, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin noted, was the presentation of the Russian translation of the encyclical of Pope Francis "On Brotherhood and Social Friendship", published by Russian Muslims, held jointly in March this year. The encyclical, which is a continuation of the Declaration on Human Brotherhood for World Peace and Living Together, signed in July 2019 in Abu Dhabi by Pope Francis and the Supreme Imam of Al-Azhar University, Ahmad al-Tayeb, meets the interests of all mankind, the mufti stressed. He pointed out the importance of the joint efforts made in the preparation and dissemination to the general public of the encyclical for representatives of different faiths in Russia and the society of the country as a whole.
"This shows the openness of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation to cooperation. I hope that our personal acquaintance and further interaction will benefit our religious communities. The teachings of our religions and the word spoken by Pope Francis about fraternity and social friendship encourage us to do this, " he said. According to Mufti Gaynutdin, the Muslims of Russia and the Islamic world treat Pope Francis with great respect.
Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin also drew the attention of the Apostolic nuncio to another platform that has become a solid foundation for interreligious interaction - the Muslim International Forum, more than 10 meetings of which were held in the Eurasian space, bringing together representatives of the Muslim world and other religious traditions. The Chairman of the RBM RF highly appreciated the support provided by the Vatican in holding the forums in London and Helsinki, as well as the participation of its representatives in them. Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Gixot, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Prefect of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims, made a report at the XVI International Muslim Forum, which was held in an online format.
The next goal, Mufti Gaynutdin said, is to hold a forum in the Italian capital: "We do not give up our desire, if the epidemiological situation allows, to hold the XVII Muslim International Forum in Rome with the support of the Roman Catholic Church."
Archbishop Giovanni d’Agnello thanked Mufti Gaynutdin for the warm hospitality and fully expressed his support for the organization of the Muslim International Forum in Rome.
By his presence at this meeting, the nuncio assured, he confirms his readiness to develop the cooperation that took place between the Apostolic nunciature and the RBM RF earlier. In this context, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin recalled the meetings of his first deputy, Rector of the Moscow Islamic Institute, Doctor of Theology, Executive Secretary of The Muslim International Forum Damir Mukhetdinov with Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Jean-Louis Tauran in 2017 and his successor, Cardinal Gixot, in February 2020 in Rome.
Special thanks to Mufti Ravil Gaynutdin and the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation Senor Giovanni d’Agnello expressed gratitude for the translation of the Papal encyclical "Fratelli tutti" into Russian. The Apostolic Nuncio also congratulated Russian Muslims on the publication of books from the series "Rebirth and Renewal", and thanked the religious administration for the copies presented to the nunciature.
Speaking about the interreligious dialogue, the Apostolic Nuncio stressed the desire that exists on both sides and added that for its development, it is necessary to hold meetings that must precede the dialogue, both at a high level and at a less formal level, which allows us to move from the conceptual level of friendship to the personal one. This is the nature of friendship between nations and people, the Archbishop noted, assuring that for his part he is always ready for a meeting, dialogue and cooperation.
"The world is losing many values. One of them is the brotherhood. That is why the Pope speaks of the importance of restoring and promoting the brotherhood, " the archbishop added.
At the end of the meeting, Senor Giovanni d’Agnello expressed hope for continued cooperation and invited Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin to a meeting at his residence. The Nuncio also wished the Muslims of Russia a blessed continuation of the month of Ramadan and a good celebration of Eid al-Fitr. At the end of the event, Archbishop Giovanni was given a guided tour of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.