His Excellency the Minister receives the Mufti of the Volga Basin Region in Russia

His Excellency the Minister Shaikh Dr. Abdullatif Bin AbdulAziz Al Ashaikh received, in his office at the Ministry's headquarters in Ryiadh, today Tuesday the seventeenth of Jumada al Thani 1441 AH, His Eminence the Mufti of the Volga Basin Region in Saratov city in the Russian Federation, Shaikh Moqeddes Bibarsov, and his accompanying delegation, who are currently visiting the Kingdom. At the beginning of the meeting, His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif Al Ashaikh welcomed His Eminence the Mufti, wishing him a pleasant stay at his second country, the the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He referred to the strong relations existing between the two countries and the bilateral cooperation in various fields. His Excellency the Minister Shaikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Ashaikh stated that the Kingdom under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the wise King and just Ruler, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and His Highness the Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, may Allah protect them, is serving Islam and Muslims, due to its position and leadership of the Islamic world. His Excellency also added that this is the line that the Kingdom took, since its foundation by the late King Abdulaziz, until this the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, in terms of supporting Muslims all over the world and upholding their issues in all international arenas. His Excellency emphasized the importance of cooperation between Muslim scholars and working together to solve the problems and challenges facing the Islamic nation, especially related to the youth. His excellency pointed out that the Ministry is keen on communicating with scholars, "which includes this meeting with Your Eminence to enhance cooperating in all what serves the Islamic action, and contributes to the unity and accord, as well as spreading the approach of moderation and avoiding extremism. His excellency also showed the efforts offered by the Ministry in the various fields of Islamic work, serving the Glorious Qur'an and supervising King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah and the quantitative leap KFGQPC witnesses in light of the support and care offered from the Rulers of this country, may Allah protect them all. For his part, the Mufti of Volga Basin Region in Saratov city in Russian Federation, Shaikh Moqeddes Bibarsov, expressed his happiness and pride for meeting His Excellency the Minister Shaikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Ashaikh, that he described the meeting as very essential to discuss the aspects of joint cooperation between the Ministry and Muslims in Russia, especially Volga Basin Region, represented by its religious department, in the field of religious education and Islamic call. He expressed his thanks and appreciation for the hospitality and kind reception offered to him and to the accompanying delegation. He also praised the efforts of the Kingdom and Ministry in serving Islam and Muslims, as well as spreading moderation and avoiding extremism. Shaikh Moqeddes stressed the special position of the the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Muslims around the world, as he paid tribute to the clear concern of the Kingdom's leadership for the Two Holy Mosques, through implementing mega projects continuously, and offering all kinds of services and facilitations, so that those who perform Hajj and Umrah, and visitors of Makkah and Madinah can perform their rituals with ease, safety and reassurance. His Eminence the Mufti Moqeddes Bibarsov added that the media campaigns directed against the Kingdom are malicious, which aim to undermine the Kingdom and its position as a reference for all Muslims. However, this will only increase the appreciation of the Kingdom in the hearts of loyal Muslims. Finally, he wished that the Kingdom continues with this right approach in spreading the tolerant teachings of Islam, despite the unjustified distortion campaigns that it faces. The undersecretary of Islamic affairs Shaikh Muhammad bin Abdulwahid Al-Arifi and the Advisor at the office of His Excellency the Minister, Mr. Abdan bin Ahmed Al-Abdan attended the meeting.