In his speech, the President noted the important contributions by Russian regional Muslim organisations to promoting and supporting civil order and peace throughout the country, to spiritual and moral guidance, and to the fight against extremism and xenophobia. Dmitry Medvedev noted that promoting tolerance and caring attitudes toward the many cultures and traditions of Russia as a country of multi-ethnic and cultural diversity are important challenges for the Russian Government and for the faith communities. The President also promised that the Government would support the development of Muslim education.
The President gave a high assessment of the Russian Muslim community’s contribution to improving Russia’s global standing, and pointed out that Russia is actively developing relations with the entire Muslim world; it is a member of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group and has observer status in the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
The meeting occurred at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque complex.