Mufti Said Ismagilov Meets President-Elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy

On 2 May, Mufti of RAMU “Umma” Said Ismagilov, along with Mufti of RAMC Aider Rustamov and Head of SCUAUA “Alraid” Seyran Aryfov took part in the meeting of Ukrainian Muslim leaders and President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Mr.Zelenskiy gave the floor to every participant, in turns, and the two Muftis (of both RAMU “Umma” and RAMC) used the opportunity to speak about the persecution that Ukrainian Muslims face on the occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas.

Sheikh Said also spoke of Ukrainian Muslims being active in defending freedom, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine; spoke on the role of RAMU “Umma”s religious communities in developing the Ukrainian civil society, multiple charitable activities and active involvement in interfaith dialogue for over a decade.

— Ukraine is a powerful, strong and modern state that needs consolidation of the society and further developing the interfaith dialogue. We all are interested in maintaining peace and defending human rights for all the Ukrainian citizens regardless of their ethnic, cultural and religious background, — said Sheikh Said.

Mr.Zelenskiy assured his guests of his openness for cooperation and asked the Muslim religious leaders to facilitate maintaining and developing relations with both the population of the occupied territories and foreign partners from Muslim countries. He assured that he would do everything within his powers and authority so that Ukraine not only maintained its investment potential for foreign partners, but also offer new investment opportunities.

Sheikh Said presented the President-elect with a Ukrainian translation of the meanings of the Holy Qur’an (translated by Mr.Mykhailo Yakubovych), and also a glaze-coated decorative platter by a famous Crimean Tatar ceramist Rustem Skibin.