December 10, 2021

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually around the world on 10 December every year.The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on 4 December 1950, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw fit

The day is normally marked both by high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues. Besides, it is traditionally on 10 December that the five-yearly United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and Nobel Peace Prize are awarded. Many governmental and non-governmental organizations active in the human rights field also schedule special events to commemorate the day, as do many civil and social-cause organisations.

Over the last three years the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia in conjunction with Moscow Bureau for Human Rights has been preparing a generalized report "On the Situation with the Observance of Muslim

Rights in the Russian Federation .This initiative attracts a lot of attention among specialists and experts in the development of the Muslim community in both in Russia and abroad.

Earlier this year the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia was honored to receive a special consultative status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Consultative status for a non-governmental organization enables it to engage in a number of ways with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, the Human Rights Council and, under specific conditions, some meetings of the General Assembly and other intergovernmental bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat.

November 29, 2021

The head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia, Mufti Albir Hazrat Krganov, met with Mufti of Kyrgyzstan, head of The Spiritual Directorate of the Muslims of Kyrgyzstan Zamir Hazrat Rakiev.

The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, where the two sides discussed further development of interfaith dialogue, Islamic education and upbringing of modern youth, the activities of Islamic organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both sides considered further areas of cooperation between the Muslim community of Russia and the CIS countries and agreed on cooperation between the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia and the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan

Both muftis paid particular attention to the issue of spiritual security, prevention of destructive ideas among labor migrants in Russia, including those arriving from Kyrgyzstan. The parties reached an agreement on joint work in the regions of Russia with the involvement of theologians, experts and religious leaders to conduct seminars, spiritual and educational events and explanatory conversations with labor migrants from Kyrgyzstan.

The head of the SAMR presented to his colleagues from Kyrgyzstan the project called “ROSMIGRANT” which is aimed at adapting and integrating migrants into a legal and cultural field of the Russian Federation, improving the quality of their life in the new social-economic and cultural environment and reducing the criminal level among migrants.

Bedsides, Albir Hazrat introduced to his colleagues the document titled "Strategy for the Development of Islam and Islamic Organizations in Russia Until 2035"
At the end of the meeting, the parties discussed the participation of hafizes of Holy Quran from Kyrgyzstan in the events that are usually held by the SAMR in the month of Ramadan.

International art exhibition "Palestine through the eyes of Russian artists” was opened on November 26 in the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation. The organizers noted that this particular exhibition was the first event of its kind that took place in Moscow.

The organizers of the exhibition were the Commission of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation on the Harmonization of Interethnic and Interfaith relations, the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia and the regional public organization of the Chuvash Republic “Society of Friendship and Cooperation between the Peoples of Chuvashia and Palestine”. The exhibition was held with the support and assistance of the Embassy of the State of Palestine to the Russian Federation.

This event was attended by members of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, Russian and foreign diplomats, public figures, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Imperial Orthodox Palestinian Society and other public organizations and departments.

The event was held in a friendly and official atmosphere. In his speech, Mufty Albir Hazrat drew the guests' attention to the fact that Palestine and Russia have been linked by traditionally friendly relations throughout the centuries. We see that over the past few years, these relations have continued to develop and strengthen in many areas. The head of the SAMR also added that "the main message of this exhibition is to demonstrate the desire to establish peace, justice and interfaith harmony in the modern world, since human brotherhood, solidarity and dialogue are the main postulates for achieving harmonization in the field of interreligious and intercultural relations." According to Albir Hazrat, it is deeply symbolic that the event takes place during the visit of President Mahmoud Abbas to Russia and his meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

The exhibition " Palestine through the eyes of Russian artists " has already collected the works of more than 250 artists working in different genres. Every stroke and smallest detail convey the atmosphere of the Palestinian land, acquaint the viewer with the Palestinian culture and difficult history. Abdel Hafiz Nofal, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine to the Russian Federation, in his speech expressed gratitude to the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation and the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia for organizing and implementing this important cultural and educational project.

November 25, 2021
The head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia, Mufti Albir Hazrat Krganov, met with His Eminence Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot,  President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, where the two sides discussed the issues of interaction between the Christian and Muslim communities in the modern world. His Eminence Cardinal stressed that all world religions need to work together to preserve the peace and prosperity of humankind. According to His Eminence Cardinal , brotherhood, solidarity and interfaith dialogue are the main tenets for achieving harmonization in the field of interreligious relations..

Mufti Albir Hazrat pointed out that high Islamic values call for mutual respect. He also praised the social projects that are currently being implemented by the Holy See.

The two parties also discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation. Albir Hazrat informed the guests about the experience of interreligious dialogue in Russia, his work in the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation and upcoming celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam in Volga Bulgaria.

In turn, His Eminence Cardinal highly appreciated the activities of the SAMR and expressed his interest in joint cooperation in several areas, including work within the framework of international organizations.
At the end of the meeting, both parties exchanged symbolic gifts.

October 27, 2021
The head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia, Mufti Albir Hazrat Krganov, met with the Head of the Youth Religious Department in the Syrian Ministry of Endowments, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sayed, on October, 27.
The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, where the two sides discussed the geopolitical situation in Syria now, the epidemiological situation in the Middle East, in addition to the issues in the field of education and enlightenment of young people and prospects for bilateral cooperation.
Albir Hazrat informed his guest about activities carried out by the regional divisions of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia and the implementation of new youth projects.
At the end of the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah presented the book on the dialogue between Islam and Christianity, entitled "Islamic-Christian Relations." Passion and Brotherhood "Syria is a Model for the World", which was recently issued by the Syrian Ministry of Endowments.

October 28, 2021
The head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia, Mufti Albir Hazrat Krganov, met with an official delegation from Lebanon, which consists of Fadi Boudayya, editor-in-chief of the International Maraya Network, Sheikh Jaafar Fadlallah, a Muslim scholar from Lebanon and Wael Al-Mawla, director of the Lebanese Al-Manar TV Channel Bureau in Syria.
The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, where the two sides discussed the difficult political and economic situation in Lebanon in addition to the problem of Syrian refugees and displaced persons in Lebanon and the role of Muslims community in Russia.
Albert Hazrat noted that according to official estimates, more than twenty million Muslims live in Russia and the activities of Islamic organizations are currently widely supported by the Russian federal and regional authorities.
At the end of the meeting, both parties discussed possibilities of bilateral cooperation. In particular, Albir Hazrat briefed the guests on the preparations for convening a World Conference on Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue scheduled to take place in 2022 in St. Petersburg and also invited them to visit the opening of an art exhibition "Palestine through the Eyes of Russian artists" in the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation scheduled to be held in November of this year.

October 18, 2021
The head of the Spiritual Assebly of Muslims of Russia, Mufti Albir Hazrat Krganov, met with the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Russian Federation, Dr. Abdel Hafeez Nofal, on October, 18. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador's advisor, Dr. Abdullah Issa.
The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, where the two sides discussed the tensions between Palestine and Israel and the epidemiological situation in the Middle East and also exchanged views on the current worldwide problems.
Albir Hazrat informed the guests about preparations for the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam in the Volga Bulgaria and the convening of a World Conference on Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue which is supposed to take place in 2022.
The two parties also discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation; in particular, the issue of assisting the Embassy of the State of Palestine to the Russian Federation in organizing an art exhibition entitled "Palestine through the eyes of Russian artists" scheduled to be held in November of this year.
At the end of the meeting, the Mufti introduced to the guests to the provisions of the document "Strategy for the Development of Islam and Islamic Organizations in Russia Until 2035" and told them about the work carried out by the regional structures of the SAMR.

October 13, 2021
The representative of the SAMR Mr. Vladislav Neledva took part in European Regional Forum on the topic “Conflict Prevention and the Protection of the Human Rights of Minorities” which was was held on 12th and 13th October 2021 .

The Regional Forum was initiated by the United Nation Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues and organized by the Tom Lantos Institute in cooperation with a number of regional organizations.

The meeting was held via the Zoom conferencing platform.

The main purpose of the European Regional Forum on “Conflict prevention and the protection of the human rights of minorities” is to provide regional insights, which will feed into the thematic work of the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues for his report to the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in March 2022. Furthermore, discussions will inform the work and recommendations of the 14th session of the Forum on Minority Issues, which will take place in Geneva in December 2021.

Discussions were also focused on the development of mutual understanding on the role of minority rights protection in conflict prevention; the legal, institutional and political challenges related to the recognition and implementation of minority rights in order to address longstanding problems that can lead to tensions and possible conflicts.

At the end of the forum, the speakers expressed their valuable recommendations for solving discussed problems, which will subsequently be summarized by the organizers. The final list of recommendations will be handed to UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues Fernand de Varennes for presentation at the Forum on Minority Issues, which is supposed to be held in Geneva December this year.

October 7, 2021

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) based on the recommendation by United Nations Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations of July 21, 2021 decided to grant the Centralized Religious Organization ‘The Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia” a special consultative status in the ECOSOC.

Consultative status for an organization enables it to engage in a number of ways with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, the Human Rights Council and, under specific conditions, some meetings of the General Assembly and other intergovernmental bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat.

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields of the organization, specifically in regards to the fifteen specialised agencies, the eight functional commissions and the five regional commissions under its jurisdiction.

ECOSOC serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and the United Nations system. In addition to a rotating membership of 54 UN member states, over 1,600 nongovernmental organizations have consultative status with the Council to participate in the work of the United Nations.

ECOSOC holds one four-week session each year in July, and since 1998 has also held an annual meeting in April with finance ministers heading key committees of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Additionally, the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), which reviews implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is convened under the auspices of the Council every July.

September 26,2021

The Head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia, Mufti of Moscow, Albir Hazrat Krganov, participated in the plenary session of the National Assembly of the World Tatar Congress, which was held on September 24 of this year in Kazan.

The National Assembly was founded by the World Tatar Congress. About 500 active representatives from the Republic of Tatarstan and 70 regions of the Russian Federation and foreign guests participated in this large-scale event.

The meeting was attended by President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and State Counselor of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev. During the event, Rustam Minnikhanov presented a number of state awards of the Republic of Tatarstan for the great contribution to the preservation and development of Tatar culture. Mr. Minnikhanov stressed in his welcoming speech that hat the World Tatar Congress, in cooperation with local cultural organizations, is carrying out extensive work in the field of preserving the identity of the Tatar people.

The head of the SAMR, Albir Hazrat Krganov, also admired the crucial role played by the World Tatar Congress towards organizations in Russia and outside the country.

“Today we need unity and solidarity in the implementation of a consistent course for the preservation, consolidation and further development of our national, cultural and religious values, the original foundations of people's life,” said Mufty.

As a result of this event, a special resolution was issued, in which the participants emphasized their common position in the pursuit of preserving the Tatar national identity, their native language and their unique culture.

Previously, the year 2021 was declared in the Republic of Tatarstan as the year of mother tongues and Tatar national unity.