Russia and the Islamic World
Special report
Last week, from 10 to 13 November, a meeting of the Russia-Islamic World strategic vision group was held in the southernmost region of Russia (Republic of Dagestan), dedicated to countering terrorist and extremist ideology.
On the agenda: a discussion of the current situation in the Islamic world, the role of education as a strategic instrument to counter the spread of ideas of terrorism and extremism in society, the prospects for cooperation between Russia and the Muslim world in the context of growing terrorist threats.
The event was attended by state, public and religious figures and representatives of state authorities from more than 25 foreign countries:
Russia, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tajikistan and others.
Sheikh Humam Baqir Abdul majeed Hamoudi, the President of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, shared his views on the agenda of the meeting, outlining his viewpoint on several aspects.
In particular, Sheikh Humam Baqir Hamoudi expressed satisfaction with security, both in Russia and in Dagestan.
“I didn’t see numerous employees of security agencies, secured objects, and inspections of people.
Everything is peaceful and civilized”, the speaker said.
According to him, despite the fact that the Dagestan people had faced extremism and terrorism, survived, people were not afraid of Islam, religious leaders; faith in peace and stability was preserved.
“In Dagestan, the number of mosques and parishioners is growing; the number of religious educational institutions is increasing.
All this suggests that the political course chosen by the leadership of Russia is correct, unlike many other countries”.
The government of the country skillfully builds up relations with representatives of religious denominations, relying on the centuries-old rich history of peaceful existence and interaction”, the guest from Iraq emphasized.
Speaking of Russia, the speaker drew attention to the fact that “Russia solves all internal problems by itself by reaching agreements, a dialogue, not allowing the intervention of other countries.
Look at what is happening in Lebanon, Syria, where have intervened forces from foreign countries?
Such interventions harm not the government, but the people”.
A guest from Iraq touched upon some international problems.
“Today we urgently need to build a new political system based on equal observance of international law, respect for the partners’ opinion, and adherence to the agreements reached by all participants”, said Sheikh Humam Baqir Hamoudi.
Sheikh Humam Baqir Hamoudi gave a brief description of the actions that the United States and allied states are committing: about the split of the world into two parts, all sorts of attempts to achieve political domination due to the erosion of the moral standards in other countries, the propaganda of antisocial phenomena, economic domination, the dependence of the economy of many states on the dollar and so on.
“Russia is coping with this pressure, and I hope it will overcome all the difficulties that had to be faced. The positions of Iraq and Russia coincide in many positions”, summed up Sheikh Humam.
He did not bypass the situation in Syria, the attempts to divide the country on the religious and interfaith conflicts basis. “Similar attempts have been made regarding Iraq failed.
This suggests that in the current situation, the Arab countries must overcome all differences, establish economic ties and move towards the development of stable democratic relations”.
The fourth meeting of the “Russia-Islamic World” Strategic Vision Group concluded with the adoption of a relevant resolution, which states that in conditions of a high degree of tension in world affairs, the interaction between Russia and the Islamic world takes on a new meaning.
At the same time, the creation of conditions for constructive dialogue and effective cooperation becomes a necessity.
All guests noted that Russia today attaches special importance to the development of friendly relations with Muslim countries in various fields, there is a common vision in solving global problems, and the internal problems of many countries, including issues of anti-social phenomena in society, remain close.
The speakers emphasized the positive experience of Russia in the fight against extremism and terrorism both inside the country and in the international arena.
The next meeting of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – the Islamic World” in the autumn of next year will be met by the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh.
