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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: First of all, I am very glad to see you. Secondly, I would like to thank you personally and all Muslims – all people who profess Islam are an organic, natural part of Russia and Russian society – for the contribution that you and other spiritual leaders make to the interfaith unity and harmony among the peoples of the Russian Federation.

At first sight, we may appear to be a very complicated country, but in fact, it is our diversity that makes us stronger, especially when Russia is facing difficulties, particularly external ones. Muslims have always made a significant contribution to this cause – to our unity and common strength that effectively counteract all challenges and threats and ensure Russia’s progress. Thank you very much.

We agreed to meet and discuss all the issues that are of interest to you, the clergy, and all who profess Islam. I am at your disposal and am very glad to see you.

Chairman of the Central Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Russia and Chief Mufti of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin: Thank you, Mr President.

We have not just agreed; we have been together from the very first day when you announced the special military operation. It is very difficult for a head of state to make such a decision. On his shoulders lies the responsibility before God, the Lord of the worlds, and before the peoples of his country, and in the eyes of all mankind. It was not easy.

We regard the special military operation as a special military operation to restore the divine and human, and in fact, spiritual and moral order in the world and in the relationships of peoples and states.

I have returned from Bahrain with some members of a delegation of the Central Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Russia. His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa sends you his best regards.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

Talgat Tadzhuddin: We were received by him; he hosted a major conference bringing together representatives of the entire Islamic world.

Previously, Bahrain hosted interfaith conferences, bringing together Jews, Christians, including from our country, and we always participated in them. Humanity consists of all these groups, along with non-believers – we all share the same Earth, like passengers on the same ship.

The Prophet Muhammad said: Every nation and state has its sacred places, but the greatest sacred place of all is humanity itself, sailing together on one ship across the sea. Those on the upper deck can easily draw water, but those in the lower deck must climb up to fetch it. Eventually, to avoid the struggle, they may decide to bore a hole in the ship’s hull – and then all will perish. The same could have happened to us – tomorrow or the day after. But we, as believers, have no fear of this. For us, this world and the next are the same – we are merely on a temporary mission here, while eternity awaits us beyond.

At this conference, the entire Islamic world was represented, including the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Muslim Elders, the Chairman of the Supreme Islamic Council of Bahrain, who is also a member of the highest representative body of Muslims worldwide, the Mufti of Uzbekistan, and Sheikh ul-Islam of Azerbaijan, Allahshukur [Pashazade]. I was also nominated as a candidate.

At this high-level forum, which even included representatives of Muslim minorities, I supported the Sudanese Minister of [Religious Affairs and] Awqaf in his proposal to elevate the Council of Muslim Elders to the status of the supreme authority for issuing modern fatwas – not just for Arab Muslim countries, but for the entire global Muslim community. Furthermore, the proposal suggested that its Chairman should become the Supreme Mufti of the World. The idea received unanimous support and was included in the Manama Declaration.

It was a great joy to follow your meeting and the firm, strong terms you presented to the United States and the West at the meeting in the holy places.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.

What is this? (Points at the sword and shield lying on the table.)

Talgat Tadzhuddin: On the same day that you announced the special military operation, we convened an expanded plenary meeting, which was held via videoconference. The participants gave their full support to the special operation. We appealed to all our regional spiritual boards and started assembling troops. On the same day, we placed an order for this [sword and shield], as if we had known something. In reality, however, Defender of the Fatherland Year recurs every year. In our country, not a single day can go by without us defending the Fatherland.

This shield of the Defender of the Fatherland refers to Russia’s core, the Bulgarian Empire and the Russian Empire. The Emperor of Russia is his first title, while his second title is the Prince of Bulgaria and the Prince of Kazan. This is why the Eagle is two-headed. It was Bulgaria’s coat of arms as well, when it was a vassal state of Khazaria. Here it portrays both Ilya Muromets, and our heroes, and Musa Jalil. When our army celebrated the mass, Musa Jalil ensured that Muslims did not bring shame on their country. We have things to defend.

Vladimir Putin: Today, Muslims are showing their best qualities. A couple of days ago, I talked to one of them, the deputy commander of the 810^th Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet. They are fighting courageously and heroically in practically all sectors along the line of contact.

Talgat Tadzhuddin: We have an agreement with the Defence Ministry: Imams sent by the Central Spiritual Board are at the fronts of the special military operation. Our communities and voluntary associations, the servants of the Most Merciful Creator, are also involved in collecting charitable aid. We send tonnes of food and funds to Palestine. All 2,200 communities send aid to the front every month. Individual imams also visit frontline areas, but especially they come as members of delegations sent by regions. Bashkortostan, for example, sends aid every month.

Three imams died the righteous death, the death of shahids. They are true shahids, because, in defending the Fatherland, we defend our history, our spirituality, and our faith, not merely the land. Our fathers, grandfathers and ancestors have lain in this land for centuries, and they have become dissolved in the dust. We grow grain in it, eat bread and drink water, and thus we defend our ancestors and our Fatherland. This is not just land; this is material for our body and our spirit.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much for your support.

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