DUSHANBE, February 11, 2016, Asia-Plus – Russian Grand Mufti Rawil Gaynetdin has met with Tajik Ambassador to Russia Imomuddin Sattorov.
According to the official website of the Central Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Russia (CSAMR), Rawil Gaynetdin has highly appraised Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s support for the Hanafi madhab “that allowed to prevent spread of extremist ideas and avoid the splitting of the Muslim Ummah in Tajikistan.”
Russian grand mufti noted that CSAMR has published much literature on the Hanafi madhab “and its books are in demand in Central Asia.”
“Our activity also covers interests of Hanafi Muslims living in Europe and Asia,” Russian grand mufti told Tajik diplomat. “During our visit to China, they proposed us to implement the project, The Hanafi Path, in addition to revival of the Silk Road. We are waiting for proposal from our Chinese colleagues to hold a joint conference on problems of countering extremism and radicalism.”
On the problems facing Tajik labor migrants in Russia, Rawil Gaynetdin noted that many of them were not well aware of Islam, the foundations of their religion, and became objects of attention of extremists and terrorists.
“We also appeals to Tajikistan’s muftiyat with solicitation to send respected and competed imams to Russia so that they could help our imams educate Tajik nationals and put them on the right track,” Russian grand mufti said.
He also proposed to open an office of Tajikistan’s Islamic Center in Moscow for permanent interaction and joint work with parishioners arriving from Tajikistan.
Rawil Gaynetdin (born Ravil Ismagilovich Gaynutdinov) was born on August 25, 1959 in the village of Shali of Pestrechinsky District of the Tatar ASSR, Soviet Union to a Volga Tatar family. He has served as the Grand Mufti of Russia since July 1, 1996. He is one of the signatories of
A Common Word between Us and You
, an open letter by Islamic scholars to Christian leaders, calling for peace and understanding.
