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US ambassador praises Russian Muslims for promotion of good-neighbourliness

On Friday, Tefft was received by the two organizations’ leader Ravil Gainutdin at his Moscow residence

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. US ambassador to Russia John Tefft has spoken highly of the activities of Russia’s Muslim Board and Council of Mufties and supported all devout Muslims in their efforts to promote ideas of neighbourliness. On Friday, Tefft was received by the two organizations’ leader Ravil Gainutdin at his Moscow residence.

“Mr. Tefft appreciated the activities of Russia’s Muslim Board and Council of Muftis in preaching and propagating the ideas of neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence. He said the United States had taken note of the Russian Muslims’ reaction to the publication of Prophet Muhammad caricatures in a French magazine,” the Council of Muftis’ press-service said. “The US diplomat fully shares the certainty that Islam is a religion that calls for peace and does not justify terrorism and aggression.”

“We, Russian Muslims, are aware of our responsibility for the future of Muslims around the world. We do our utmost to ensure Muslims should be seen everywhere as descendants of great scientists and great enlighteners, who have shared their great scientific discoveries and whole branches of science with humanity,” Gainutdin told Tefft. He is certain that the problem of extremism and terrorism can be resolved only through joint efforts by entire humanity.

In conclusion Gainutdin invited Tefft to a special ceremony, Mawlid al-Nabi, honoring the Prophet Muhammad, to be held at the Crocus City Hall exhibition centre on January 25. The event is expected to bring together some 6,000 guests.