UN official lauds Russia’s ‘remarkable’ relationship with Muslims as opposed to US, Europe
A senior official of the United Nations has commended the Russian government over its “remarkable” relationship with Islam and the Muslim communities in the Christian-dominated country.
“The situation with Islam and the Muslim community in the Russian Federation is remarkable, in contrast to the United States and Europe,” said Miguel Angel Moratinos, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General, High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
In a Sunday interview with TASS, Moratinos said in his discussions with religious authorities during his recent visit to Russia, he found Moscow’s achievements in inter-religious and interfaith dialogue in the Christian-majority country to be excellent.
In regard to the Muslim minority in the country, the senior UN official said the current situation of Muslims in Russia is “perfect.”
“I had a more substantial discussion with the main religious muftis and Imams, the mufti of the Russian Federation, other representatives of the Muslim community. The top leadership of Muslim communities in Russia I met in Kazan. I think the situation in Russia is perfect. I mean, they feel very well integrated, they have a good relation with the Christian Orthodox Church,” he said.
Moratinos believes Moscow can be proud of its achievements in inter-religious and interfaith dialogue, setting an example for countries unlike Russia.
In contrast to what is going on in Russia, Moratinos said, the case of Islam and Muslims in European countries and the United States is in dire straits.
“That is not the case in Europe. That is not the case in the United States,” Moratinos said.
“European political scenarios are extremely contaminated, in inverted commas, with this obsession about Islam,” he noted.
Moratinos, who hails from Spain, visited Russia to attend the 17th Russia – Islamic World: Kazan Forum from May 15 to 17.
During his visit, Moratinos held conversations with the leaders of the Muslim community in Russia, a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church, and young people from the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation who attended the Kazan Forum’s events.
He had a series of meetings with Russian civic society representatives, heads of NGOs and students at MGIMO University, as well.
The former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Head of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov.
Iran nuclear resolution must consider Iranian interests: Russia
Fading western powers using sanctions, fear to halt rise of multipolar world: Russia
Putin, Xi jointly condemn US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran
Iran says Western states responsible for failure of NPT conference
Araghchi reaffirms Iran's unflinching support for Hezbollah in message to Sheikh Qassem
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon injure soldier amid ceasefire violations
Iran condemns Israeli strikes on Lebanon that killed paramedics, journalist
Top Bahraini cleric: No one can blame Iran for defending itself
Pakistan says Tehran talks made ‘encouraging progress’ toward final US-Iran understanding
Iran, US moving closer to 'finalizing memorandum of understanding': Baghaei
VIDEO | We take care of the street, general!
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
