Ufa, Russia—Muslim women attending advanced training courses in teaching the Quran were given an introduction to UPF and its principles.
The women are the heads of educational departments in cities and villages of the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan, which has a large Muslim population.
On March 30, 2019, Maria Nazarova, secretary general of UPF-Russia, was invited to the Ikhlas Mosque, which is located in the Kirov district of Ufa, the capital of Bashkortostan. The visit was an outreach of the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development, a UPF initiative which was inaugurated in Russia in December 2018.
Imam Muhammet M. Gallyamov opened the mosque 23 years ago after restoring a former cinema. Nowadays people come to the mosque from all parts of Ufa and from throughout Bashkortostan. There are always many believers in the mosque. This is not surprising, because it hosts various educational classes and courses, an art group, a choir, and even the Ikhlas TV studio. An antique book of the Quran is being restored by a professional copyist calligrapher-restorer, Damir-Katib Akhmatgaliev.
The participants of the advanced training courses had come to the Ikhlas Mosque to study the basics of teaching the Quran and the traditions of Islam. Many of them are current or former schoolteachers in their cities and villages. These women uphold deep Muslim traditions, and they enjoy enormous prestige in their cities and villages.
Maria Nazarova spoke about the activities of UPF, as well as the principles on which its work is based. It was very pleasant to hear the positive feedback from the participants, because their opinions were supported by their deep life experience. Some of them commented that what they heard was in many ways consistent with their own understanding.
After the presentation, a small choir of the mosque appeared on the stage and performed several songs. In general, the atmosphere of the event was very sincere and warm.
The imam invited UPF representatives to take part in the ceremony of blessing the new apartment of a Muslim family. It was a very interesting and informative ritual. We not only got to know a Muslim tradition but also met with families practicing the Quran, in which love, peace and harmony reign.
An interview was recorded at the Ikhlas TV studio and soon will be broadcast on Muslim television in Bashkortostan.
We very much hope to continue such interesting cooperation!