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The President thanked the muftis for their dedicated work toward consolidating civil and inter-confessional peace in Russia.

Mr Putin pointed out that tensions grew in various parts of the world where unscrupulous people tried to use Islam as a cover for their own criminal activities, and warned against interethnic conflicts which can spark from such situations.

Faithful Muslims and young followers of Islam should not be in danger because of those who chose terror as their religion, Putin emphasised. Young people must be saved from following that path as it would be truly destructive for a multi-ethnic country like Russia. The President proposed cooperation to the Islamic leaders.

In his opinion, Islam and Christianity together constitute a cultural environment unique to Russia where they co-exist in harmony. We all should stand up to counter the attempts to shatter this harmony, Putin said.

The President supported the proposal to hold an international Islamic conference Islam Against Terrorism in Moscow.