Russian cleric urges Palestinian state

Russian and world Muslims demand the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, says Chief of the Council of Russian Muftis Sheikh Rawi Ayn al-Din.

The chief of Russia’s highest Islamic institution made the remarks during a Friday prayer sermon in Moscow also attended by Iran’s ambassador to Russia and an accompanying delegation.

“The establishment of an independent Palestinian state is the goal of world Muslims and we pray to God for the realization of this goal and for the establishment of peace in this holy land,” IRNA quoted Moscow’s Friday Prayers leader as saying.

Sheikh Ayn al-Din’s remarks came as Muslims in Iran and other countries marked the International Quds Day on the last Friday of the current month of Ramadan, September 3, 2010.

Moscow’s Friday Prayers leader said the International Quds Day is the day to show support for and solidarity with Palestinians as the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini, urged all Muslims to stage rallies every Ramadan to take a stand in support of the Palestinian struggle against the usurping Israeli regime that occupies the territory.

The cleric also stressed the importance of unity between Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas.

He, furthermore, thanked Iran’s Ambassador to Russia Seyyed Mahmoud-Reza Sajjadi for his efforts to develop Iran-Russia relations in various fields and to enhance ties between Iranian and Russian Muslims.