Russia Seeks ‘Balance’ With Islamic World

When enmity began spreading against Muslims in the US after the September 11 attacks, Russia’s Parliament and Church began campaigning for the improvement of Russia’s relations with Muslims. The Russian Orthodox Church established contacts with some of the religious leaders in Islamic countries, while Russia’s lower house, the Duma, established a group named, "Russia-Islamic World: Strategic Partnership".

The 60-deputy Group will try to prepare an infrastructure for improving the strategic partnership between the Russia and the Islamic World. Three Duma Vice Presidents are members of the Group, which was established by the initiative of the Rodina Party. The Rodina Party is known for its closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Several Duma deputies spoke to Zaman on Sunday. They said that even though it is a brand new movement, the representatives would unite their strengths as they seek to combine the present rich relations with the Islamic World with a modern vision of the day.

"We see the Islamic World as a strategic partner. Despite the West, they regard Russia in the same way," said Duma Representative Sulan Shamizagiyevich. He disclosed that Putin developed an initiative that would see Russia become a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference. Shamizagiyevich said that the Group supports the initiative. Duma representatives also acknowledged that Turkey is a geopolitical partner of Russia.

Meanwhile, the Russian Orthodox Church said that it is important to explain that the war in Chechnya is not against Muslims. The Church stressed that the tension experienced among the Catholic World and Islam due to the Afghanistan and Iraq operations requires that Orthodox representatives search for dialogue.

On the other side, it is observed that relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia are flourishing. Russia has also opened representative offices of Chechnya in some countries, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia.