MOSCOW, February 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Grand Mufti of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin in the Kremlin and thanked him for his contribution to fostering inter-faith unity and harmony among the peoples of Russia.
"I would like to personally thank you and all Muslim leaders for the contribution you and other spiritual leaders are making to inter-religious unity and accord between the peoples of Russia," the president said.
Under the constitution, Russia is a secular state, with religious associations enjoying equal status under the law and operating separately from the state. Freedom of worship and freedom of religion are guaranteed to all.
Christianity is the biggest religion in Russia, with Orthodox believers accounting for the majority of Christians. There are Old Believer, Catholic, and Protestant communities as well. Islam is the second-biggest religion, with the majority of Russia’s Muslims being Sunnis. There are quite big Judaic communities in large cities, and Lamaistic Buddhist communities in Buryatia, Tuva, and Kalmykia. The state supports traditional religions, helping restore holy sites that were ruined during the Soviet era and allowing the opening of spiritual educational establishments.