French Ambassador Pierre Levy: We are grateful to Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin
On November 16, the residence of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation hosted the Ambassador of France in Moscow, Mr. Pierre Levy, with the blessing of the religious leader of Russian Muslims, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin. On behalf of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Council of Muftis of Russia, first Deputy Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation Damir Mukhetdinov held a meeting with the French diplomat. The meeting was also attended by first Secretary of the Embassy Johan Ure, translator Tatyana Kabulova, head of the international Department of the Russian Religious Board of Muslims Ildar Galeev.
At the beginning of the meeting, D. Mukhetdinov conveyed greetings from the head of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Council of Muftis of Russia, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, and noted the effective history of cooperation between Russian Muslims and the French side in the face of its state bodies, intellectual centers, and major religious organizations. In September-October of this year, the subject of France's relations with the Islamic world — represented by the Muslim community of this country, as well as several Muslim countries, acquired a special meaning in connection with the brutal murders and attacks on its citizens "in revenge" for publishing cartoons of the prophet Muhammad (peace to him) that are offensive to the entire world Ummah. In this regard, the conversation inevitably touched upon the attitude of the Russian Muslim clergy to the tragic incidents in France, as well as the experience of the Russian Federation in socializing and integrating the Muslim population of the country, including the newly arrived members of our society from other countries.
"All our clergy condemned such acts of terror. Shedding blood is condemned by our religion, - D. Mukhetdinov emphasized. — From the minbars of mosques, from the pages of the press and on TV channels, we issued calls to observe the order and laws of our country, to restrain our emotions, not get personal." At the same time, as the first Deputy Chairman of the Religious board of the Russian FEDERATION stated, the Muslim community of Russia firmly believes in the unacceptability of insulting religions and their prophets with reference to freedom of speech.
Commenting on the statements of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, which caused a great resonance around the world, D. Mukhetdinov noted that it is appropriate to speak not about the reform of Islam, but about the reform of Islamic thought.
"We hope that this caricature scandal will be resolved and will not remain a stumbling block in society. We are confident that we will turn this page and continue our cooperation at all levels, building relationships where there is not only freedom of speech, but also respect for feelings," he added.
In turn, Pierre Levy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet and visit the main Muslim temple of the country — the Moscow Cathedral mosque. "What happened in France, was a shock for us. We know that terrorism has targeted Russia. We were very touched by the words of support and condolences to the French people, and we are grateful to Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin for them, " the Ambassador said.
Emphasizing his interest in studying the history and modern development of the Russian Ummah, he noted that the French side considers the development of state-Islamic relations in Russia at the present stage, from the point of view of studying and take experience.
"Islam in Russia has a long history, which distinguishes it from Islam in France. Now the task is to give a worthy place to Islam in our country, because its history in our country is also long. We want imams to be trained in France as well, " the diplomat said. Regarding the feelings that caricatures aroused all over the world, the Ambassador said that he was well aware of the feelings that caricatures can arouse among believers, but according to French law, the state is obliged to protect both sides.
In response to P. Levy's words about training imams, D. Mukhetdinov recalled that a few years ago Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request for state support for the training system for Muslim organizations in the country. "The state has allocated hundreds of places in the best universities in the country. And it aimed the academic community to help Islamic educational institutions. The state has decided to recognize theology as a science, which has enabled our imams to defend their PhD, in our country, in our universities. Thousands of textbooks have been published. And graduates of this state program are now working in the religious departments of Muslims all over the country, " he said.
At the end of the meeting, the first Deputy Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation presented the distinguished guest with books from the publishing houses "Medina"and " Read". Both sides expressed hope for building constructive relations for the benefit of both States.
At the beginning of the meeting, D. Mukhetdinov conveyed greetings from the head of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Council of Muftis of Russia, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, and noted the effective history of cooperation between Russian Muslims and the French side in the face of its state bodies, intellectual centers, and major religious organizations. In September-October of this year, the subject of France's relations with the Islamic world — represented by the Muslim community of this country, as well as several Muslim countries, acquired a special meaning in connection with the brutal murders and attacks on its citizens "in revenge" for publishing cartoons of the prophet Muhammad (peace to him) that are offensive to the entire world Ummah. In this regard, the conversation inevitably touched upon the attitude of the Russian Muslim clergy to the tragic incidents in France, as well as the experience of the Russian Federation in socializing and integrating the Muslim population of the country, including the newly arrived members of our society from other countries.
"All our clergy condemned such acts of terror. Shedding blood is condemned by our religion, - D. Mukhetdinov emphasized. — From the minbars of mosques, from the pages of the press and on TV channels, we issued calls to observe the order and laws of our country, to restrain our emotions, not get personal." At the same time, as the first Deputy Chairman of the Religious board of the Russian FEDERATION stated, the Muslim community of Russia firmly believes in the unacceptability of insulting religions and their prophets with reference to freedom of speech.
Commenting on the statements of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, which caused a great resonance around the world, D. Mukhetdinov noted that it is appropriate to speak not about the reform of Islam, but about the reform of Islamic thought.
"We hope that this caricature scandal will be resolved and will not remain a stumbling block in society. We are confident that we will turn this page and continue our cooperation at all levels, building relationships where there is not only freedom of speech, but also respect for feelings," he added.
In turn, Pierre Levy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet and visit the main Muslim temple of the country — the Moscow Cathedral mosque. "What happened in France, was a shock for us. We know that terrorism has targeted Russia. We were very touched by the words of support and condolences to the French people, and we are grateful to Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin for them, " the Ambassador said.
Emphasizing his interest in studying the history and modern development of the Russian Ummah, he noted that the French side considers the development of state-Islamic relations in Russia at the present stage, from the point of view of studying and take experience.
"Islam in Russia has a long history, which distinguishes it from Islam in France. Now the task is to give a worthy place to Islam in our country, because its history in our country is also long. We want imams to be trained in France as well, " the diplomat said. Regarding the feelings that caricatures aroused all over the world, the Ambassador said that he was well aware of the feelings that caricatures can arouse among believers, but according to French law, the state is obliged to protect both sides.
In response to P. Levy's words about training imams, D. Mukhetdinov recalled that a few years ago Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request for state support for the training system for Muslim organizations in the country. "The state has allocated hundreds of places in the best universities in the country. And it aimed the academic community to help Islamic educational institutions. The state has decided to recognize theology as a science, which has enabled our imams to defend their PhD, in our country, in our universities. Thousands of textbooks have been published. And graduates of this state program are now working in the religious departments of Muslims all over the country, " he said.
At the end of the meeting, the first Deputy Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation presented the distinguished guest with books from the publishing houses "Medina"and " Read". Both sides expressed hope for building constructive relations for the benefit of both States.