“Before the challenges of the modern world, we all need sincere dialogue and collaboration to build a society based on mutual respect between religions and nationalities”. It was stated by the Council of the muftis of Russia, sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, and the metropolitan archbishop of Moscow, mgr. Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, during a meeting, which took place yesterday in the Russian capital. Promoted by Moscow’s archdiocese, "it took place in a climate of mutual understanding as well as one of concern for the current state of the relations between the Catholics and the followers of Islam". However, the religious leaders recalled that "we see more and more examples of mutual understanding and collaboration between Russian Catholics and Muslims. They take part together in events, have similar positions on the problems of the family, the protection of life and moral values, religious tolerance, the strengthening of society, its democratic development". Mgr. Kondrusiewicz insisted that "in Regensburg, Benedict XVI had no intention of offending the feelings of Muslims, he just wanted to recall that there can be no religious grounds for violence". A position that has "perfectly" satisfied the mufti Gainutdin.
