OIC supports Moscow’s active role in international affairs; Russia ‘can bring rationality to modern world’ - secretary general

MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) calls for Moscow’s active role in international affairs, OIC Secretary General Iyad Madani said on Thursday. "We support Russia’s active role not only in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement, regional issues, and everything relating to the Islamic world, but also in the world as a whole," Madani said after talks in Moscow. "We believe that Russia can play a balanced role and can bring rationality to the modern world." "We have much in common with Russian people as far as culture and traditions are concerned. We often find ourselves on the same side of the fence." he said, noting that Moscow and the OIC shared very similar positions at United Nations meetings on human rights. "There are many people in Russia who practice Islam," Madani said, noting "intellectual contribution" of Muslims in Russia’s republic of Tatarstan to development of the region and the entire country, "All this indicates that we can expect Russia’s active stand on humanitarian and cultural issues," he added. Read more