Sputnik Holds Discussion to Mark the End of Ramadan

Among the participants were First Deputy Chairman of Russia Muftis Council and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia, Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Moscow region Rushan Abbyasov, Head of the Centre for Arab Studies of Nigeria Mohammed Elkhidiru and Advisor to the President of Lebanon on Lebanese-Russian Affairs Amal Abou Zeid.

The experts discussed the significance and spiritual meaning of the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims, the role of religion in the development and strengthening of dialogue between Russia and the countries of the Middle East and Africa, as well as the challenges facing the mutual understanding of religions and cultures in the modern world.

Abbyasov noted that Russia, the states of the Islamic world and countries friendly to them need to join efforts to establish a multipolar world and counter conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.

"What is happening in Palestine can be called a real genocide of the peaceful population. According to official data, more than 35,000 people have – children, the elderly, women. Russia and the countries of the Islamic world, and with all friendly countries, must join forces to stop the attacks by Israel and its allies on Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. We must make the world multipolar so that bloody wars are not repeated," he said.

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Abou Zeid, speaking at the event, noted that Russia and Lebanon have been united by co-operation in a wide range of areas for 80 years.

"We are united by relations in a variety of areas, there is cooperation between the Russian and Lebanese foreign ministries. Lebanese Foreign Minister and Minister Sergey Lavrov and his deputy Mikhail Bogdanov are in constant contact, and this demonstrates the strength of the relations - cultural, political, social, public – that unite our countries. This has been going on for 80 years. We wish these relations between Russia and Lebanon to be further strengthened," he stressed.

The expert emphasized that the world is now experiencing the end of the era of unipolar world embodied by the US.

Elkhidiru, commenting on Russian-African cooperation, noted that "Russia's relations with Africa are relations that are special, if only because Russia has never colonized Africa, unlike the Western powers. And relations between Russia and African states are historical relations."

The expert highlighted the significance of enhancing cultural and spiritual interaction between the countries, in particular through youth cooperation.

"Moscow welcomes our young people, and this is very valuable for them in terms of gaining experience – especially for the youth of sub-Saharan African countries," he concluded.

The end of the holy month of Ramadan has special significance not only for devotees of Islam, but also for Russian-Arab and Russian-African relations. This period, enriched with spiritual and cultural values, promotes mutual understanding and appreciation between cultures, which is vital for the fostering of dialogue and international cooperation.

Uraza Bayram is a holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and fasting. From early morning on this day, solemn sermons and collective namaz take place in mosques.