Prof. Murteza Bedir, President of the Centre for Islamic Studies (İSAM), and Assoc. Prof. Yaşar Çolak, Vice President of İSAM, attended the 20th International Muslim Forum and the 8th Congress of the Religious Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, held in Moscow on September 21-22, 2024. The event also saw the participation of Ömer Faruk Savuran, representative of the Directorate of Foreign Relations of the Presidency of Religious Affairs; Prof. Mahmut Erol Kılıç, Director-General of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art, and Culture (IRCICA), and Prof. Dr. Cengiz Tomar, Head of IRCICA Research and Publications Department from Turkey. The Congress and Forum, held at Moscow's Central Mosque, brought together the President of the Religious Administration of Muslims of Russia, Ravil Gaynutdin, religious representatives from 65 regions of Russia, and delegates from various Islamic organizations from 25 different countries.
The International Muslim Forum has evolved into a platform that first brought together influential religious leaders, scholars, and opinion leaders from across Russia, then expanded to the Eurasian level, and more recently, has gained global prominence, contributing significantly to intellectual discourse. During the Congress, held alongside the Forum, Ravil Gaynutdin was unanimously re-elected as the President of the Religious Administration of Muslims of Russia, a position he will hold for the next five years. Speaking at the Forum, themed “The Path to Peace: Dialogue for Harmonious Coexistence,” Mufti Gaynutdin emphasized that Russia's history has been shaped by the influence of monotheistic religions, such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. He pointed out that Islam reached Russia as early as the mid-7th century, and for over a thousand years, solidarity and brotherhood have existed between these divinely rooted religions on Russian soil. Despite provocations from the West, such as interreligious hostility and Islamophobia, Gaynutdin noted that Russia strives to maintain balance in its relations with the Islamic world. "Today’s Russia is the only country with observer status in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This strong foundation of friendship allows us to actively develop our relations in the future," he said. He also referred to the innovative ideas of Crimean thinker Ismail Gasprinsky, saying, "With Islam, reason, and faith as our foundation, we will overcome even the toughest challenges as one united body."
At the forum, a message from Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin was also read. The Prime Minister described Islam as an integral part of Russia's historical heritage, stating, "Russia is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state where the beliefs of all peoples are respected. Islam is one of the traditional religions of our country and an inseparable part of our historical legacy." Mishustin also emphasized that the activities of the Office of Mufti have contributed to strengthening social peace and ethnic harmony.
At the congress, concerns were raised about the deliberate discrediting of Islam by associating it with terrorism and the fueling of xenophobia. There were also calls for the development of just political solutions to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Additionally, it was emphasized that intellectual efforts must be increased to address issues related to environmental problems, bioethics, and the rapid development of artificial intelligence, along with the opportunities and risks it presents.
The participants read a letter addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the increasing negative perceptions of Islam and the rise of terrorist attacks. The letter also emphasized that Israel had turned Gaza into a bloodbath and recalled the ongoing Islamophobic actions that insult the feelings of believers. The closing statement of the forum was read by Dr. Damir Mukhetdinov, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Muslim Spiritual Administration.

The forum and congress concluded with a gala reception marking the 30th anniversary of the Russian Muslim Spiritual Administration and the Moscow Islamic Institute, as well as the 40th year of Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin’s spiritual service.