Ramadan tent set up in Russian capital to promote dialogue

A Ramadan tent set up in the Russian capital of Moscow started to offer iftars (fast-breaking meals) on Monday and festive Ramadan activities for locals and Muslims who live in the city.

The Ramadan tent was set up for the first time in 2006 and in time has grown and become an example for similar projects in other parts of Russia. The tent is largely seen as a symbol of peace and tolerance in Russia. It is also supported by the Moscow municipal administration.

A scene from Monday’s iftar at the Ramadan tent in Moscow. (Photo: Cihan)

The first iftar hosted at this year's tent brought together approximately 300 people on Monday from different religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The guests who attended the iftar delivered messages of peace and tolerance. Among the many guests were the chairman of the Russian Mufti Council, Ravil Gaynuddin, and officials from the Moscow municipality. Leaders from Russia's Christian and Jewish communities and representatives of Russian civil society organizations were also in attendance.

In his speech, Gaynuddin said the tent in Moscow, which was set up this year for the seventh time, is taken as a model in other parts of Russia, such as the Ural and Privolye regions. The Ramadan tent contributes greatly to unity and peace in Moscow and inter-religious dialogue and friendship between communities, he noted

“We, as Russian Muslims, hope that all the Russian citizens live in peace and stability,” Gaynuddin concluded.

Also speaking at the dinner, Zinovy Kogan from the Russian Jewish Congress said he had been touched by the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan and he praised the initiative of setting up an iftar tent during Ramadan. “I also want to send my love and greetings to our Turkish Muslim friends,” Kogan said.

The Ramadan tent in Moscow is scheduled to celebrate a traditional Turkish day on Aug. 11, an advisor of religious services at the Turkish Embassy in Moscow, Fahri Sağlık, told the Cihan news agency. He called upon all Turkish residents of Moscow to join them at the tent that day.

Source: Today's Zaman