HM King receives Russian Grand Mufti

Manama, Mar. 24 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa today received at Al-Safriya Palace the Grand Mufti of Russia, Russian Muftis Shura Council Chairman and President of the Religious Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation Shaikh Rawi Ainuddin. The scholar conveyed to HM the King greetings and wishes of abundant health and happiness from Russian President Vladimir Putin and further progress and prosperity to the people of Bahrain. HM the King commended solid relations of friendship and cooperation binding Bahrain and the Russian Federation, hailing positive results of his recent successful visit to Russia last February and his fruitful meeting with President Putin. He commended landmark Russian strides, led by President Putin, stressing keenness on bolstering bilateral relations and joint cooperation in all fields. HM the King congratulated the Grand Mufti on opening the new mosque in Russia, which is considered as the biggest of its kind in Europe, which reflects respect of all religions. He hailed the dedicated efforts of the Grand Mufti to promote the values of co-existence, dialogue and moderation, which reflects the true image of Islam that preaches tolerance and rejects terrorism and extremism. He commended strong cooperation between the Supreme Islamic Affairs Council (SIAC) and the Russian Muftis Shura Council and Religious Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation. HM the King underlined Bahrain’s initiatives and conferences as part of efforts to build bridges between religions. He stressed Bahrain’s millennia-old vocation as a crossroad for world civilizations and a beacon that embraces all religions in one country. He commended the people of Bahrain for their long-standing spirit of tolerance and amity, embracing all religions out of firm belief in the importance of reaching out to all in a closely-knit society based on fraternity. "We in Bahrain strive to achieve peace and promote all that is good to humanity", he said, saying that Bahrain embraces various religions and doctrines, bound together by national unity, which is the guarantor of the nation. HM the King wished the Grand Mufti success in his visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Russian scholar also thanked HM the King and the SIAC officials for the warm welcome. He hailed HM the King’s visit to Russia which, he said, contributed to strengthening relations for the sake of the two friendly countries and peoples. He paid tribute to HM the King, for supporting Islamic causes, dialogue and rapprochement between religions and the renunciation of extremism and bigotry. He expressed his delight at the cooperation with Bahrain in all fields, hailing the atmosphere of tolerance, co-existence and amity between all religions and doctrines as well as the spirit of the closely-knit family which prevails in Bahrain. The Grand Mufti wished HM the King abundant health and happiness and the people of Bahrain further progress and prosperity. He presented to HM the King with a collection of books published by the Russian Muftis Shura Council and President of the Religious Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation.