Metropolitan Evgeny of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye became a guest at the Izge-Kalimat Mosque in Yekaterinburg during the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims. At the invitation of Mufti Abdul-Kuddus Asharin, the mufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Sverdlovsk Oblast (the Central Muftiate), he took part in an iftar, which was also attended by representatives of the Central Military District, regions of Russia, the media, and public organizations.
That evening, around 500 Muslims gathered at the mosque. In his address to them, Metropolitan Evgeny of Yekaterinburg and Verkhoturye drew attention to the need to preserve unity and accord in Russia, which has become a home for peoples of different nationalities and faiths:
“For four years now, we have been gathering here at the invitation of Mufti Abdul-Kuddus; it has become a good tradition. This is important to me. I am glad that we are together today. Here in the Urals, and on the front lines, where our brothers—both priests and imams, and Christian soldiers and Muslim soldiers—stand shoulder to shoulder defending our homeland. I want to wish peace to you and your families, may your children be born, may you raise them, and may our children be friends. We will be strong. Peace and blessings be upon you.”
“Our friendship is not limited to mutual visits during holidays. Bishop Evgeny and I work together extensively to strengthen interethnic peace and harmony in the region. Last year, with the support of the Regional Department of Internal Policy and the Central Military District, we organized a joint project, the ‘Interfaith Anti-Extremist Mission.’ We traveled across the entire oblast, meeting with residents of municipalities. This year, we have a new project, ‘The Era of Heroes and Victories.’ It is aimed at strengthening spiritual and moral values in society and providing assistance to participants in the special military operation and their families,” said Mufti Abdul-Kuddus Hajji.
“I would like to thank the organizers. The atmosphere is friendly, one might even say warm and homely. It is good when representatives of different nationalities and religions meet as friends. They share joys and discuss problems. It is important that this comes from the heart. This is not a perfunctory event; people open up to one another. After all, how could it be otherwise in the house of God,” shared Beslan Tamayev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Head of the Chechen Republic in Sverdlovsk Oblast.
Press Service of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia
