Saudi Arabia and Russia signed on Sunday a memorandum of understanding on Islamic cooperation aimed at “introducing Islam and its noble values” and exchanging researches, books and scientific publications in various languages.
The MoU includes holding scientific symposia and joint training courses, the participation of scholars and preachers specialized in Islamic affairs in conferences and seminars held in the two countries, and the exchange of experiences in the affairs of mosques, architecture and maintenance.
The agreement was signed by Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh and the chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia, Sheikh Rawi Ainuddin.
In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ainuddin said: “The results of the historic relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia are evident through their joint cooperation in all fields. They are rooted and growing and based on trust and mutual respect.”
“The development of bilateral cooperation includes political, commercial, economic, cultural, humanitarian, scientific, technological, tourism and other fields,” he said.
He continued: “This represents a qualitative leap in the course of Saudi-Russian relations and expresses the availability of a common political will to elevate these relations and push them to wider horizons.”
“Perhaps officials in the Arab and Islamic countries see the great interest of the Russian side, President Vladimir Putin in particular, to strengthen relations with the Arab and Islamic countries. This contributes to the achievement of positive developments in our relations in many fields,” Ainuddin underlined.
He added that Moscow and Riyadh have agreed on the need to address the threat of extremism and terrorism as the greatest threat to peace, stability and security on the international scene, and a source of hatred and intolerance between nations and peoples.
The MoU will open new horizons of cooperation in the religious field and Islamic action for the benefit of both countries and peoples, he concluded.
