In any country there are individuals whose activities leave an imprint on society, pushing it to positive changes. Fortunately, there are many such people in Russia. Gaynutdin Ravil is considered to be one of them. This man has been leading the country's Council of Muftis for more than twenty-five years. What did he manage to do during these years? Let's figure it out.
Ravil Gainutdin: biography
Our hero was born and raised in the small village of Shali, Tatar ASSR (1959-25-08). His parents were ordinary workers. Gaynutdin Ravil first learned about Islam from his own grandmother. She lived in a family and devoted, as usual, a lot of time to raising children. Grandmother told little Ravil about the basics of religion, revealed the essence and meaning of traditions, and taught him to pray. All this was of great interest to the grandson. Over time, he decided to devote himself to the service of Allah. After graduating from school, the current mufti of Russia, Ravil Gaynutdin, went to Bukhara. There he entered the spiritual madrasah "Mir-Arab". Teaching himcame easy. He completed the seven-year course in just four years, having passed the required tests as an external student. The Kazan Cathedral Mosque "Nur Islam" was assigned to him as the first place of service. The position was called the first imam-khatib. In 1987 he moved to Moscow. Gainutdin Ravil, by that time already elected executive secretary of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the European part of the USSR and Siberia in Ufa, was appointed imam-hatib of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
Years of the collapse of the USSR
Today, the older generation is surprised and horrified, remembering what trials the former Soviet citizens had to go through. Many starved, could not earn a living, lost their professions, and buried their loved ones. But that wasn't the worst. Spiritual emptiness reigned in the then society. Mufti Ravil Gaynutdin was one of the few who managed to understand the state of the people. He made efforts to revive the religious identity of society.
Revival of Islam
In Moscow, he organized Arabic language courses. He told people about the traditions of Islam, ritual practice. It was very timely. Frustrated, immersed in problems, desperate, citizens were drawn to the mosque, where they received much-needed spiritual support. Both small children and elderly pensioners wanted to learn more about their religion. People, realizing that their familiar world is collapsing, sought solace in eternal values. And religion is the first among them. Many felt the need to join the knowledge, which was not previously possible to obtain. Muslims wanted to read the Quran in Arabic. All this was clear to the mufti. He constantly expanded his activities so that not a single person was left whitewashed with attention.
International Activities
The Muslim world is quite wide. Gaynutdin Ravil does not limit his work to the life of the Ummah. He is a member of several reputable international organizations. Takes part in the activities of the Eurasian Islamic Council. He considers it necessary to promote the rapprochement of believers, strengthening ties between people and states. In addition, he takes part in the work of the Islamic World League (WIL). Several books have come out from the Mufti's pen. The first known work is considered to be his dissertation. The theme and at the same time its name is "Islam in Russia". As he himself admits, it was an experience of philosophical analysis. It is clear that the efforts of the spiritual leaders of Muslims are now in demand. After all, there are very dangerous tendencies in the world. Believers face the evil that masquerades as true religiosity. This refers to the IS organization banned in Russia. The clergy of all denominations face previously unknown challenges. People should be protected from deceit worse than death. This is a complete spiritual rebirth into real animals, mercilessly killing their own kind.
Allah tests the one he truly loves
Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin works very hard. With the saying of the Prophet Muhammad placed in the heading of the paragraph, believers characterize himvaried activities. In addition to direct duties, the organization of mass events, large spiritual celebrations often falls on his shoulders. Another communication with the Russian government, statesmen of the Muslim world. In his busy schedule, there is always time for the reception of ordinary citizens. People come to the mufti from all over the vast country. It is important for people to hear his wise advice. After all, their requests are not among the simple ones. People ask very difficult questions, expect a balanced answer and assistance. 2015 was marked by the opening of the reconstructed and expanded Moscow mosque. The work also went under the close attention of Ravil-hazrat. More than thirty Muslim peoples live in the country. In this difficult time, they should be united, not only conflicts should be prevented, but also attempts to separate them should be prevented. Ravil-Khazarat himself considers this direction to be the main one, making a lot of efforts for its most complete implementation.
Peaceful life and development is our main goal
The Mufti consistently upholds the principles of a civilized dialogue between people of different faiths and denominations. The sermon of Ravil Gainutdin, as a rule, is based on a wise approach to conflict situations, the belief that any problem can be solved unarmedly. Peace on the planet, calm cooperation and development, he calls the only way for humanity. Ravil-Khazarat actively cooperates with representatives of the clergy of countries in which civil conflicts are taking place. His appeals to them are filled with philanthropy andcompassion. He seeks to understand different points of view. However, he fundamentally advocates the negotiation process in cases of tension. Society should exist in harmony, conduct a civil dialogue, the mufti believes. Under his direct leadership, Muslim Moscow becomes a center of attraction for the entire Islamic world. Interaction with the leaders of the Russian Federation only contributes to this process.
Strengthening Islam and spiritual education of the younger generation
Ravil-Khazarat pays considerable attention to the organization of the activities of Muslim educational institutions. On his initiative, two special universities were opened in the Russian Federation (1998 - Kazan, 1999 - Moscow). Young people need to be educated from the cradle, so that later they do not have to urgently correct mistakes when trouble knocks at the door. Back at the end of the last century, Ravil-Khazarat proposed to His Serene Highness the Patriarch to organize the interaction of various confessions. For this, the Interreligious Council of Russia was established. Such a diverse and huge country cannot allow conflicts on its territory. Moreover, the international situation demonstrates constant instability. Fanning a fire is very easy when people are divided.
Dialogue of Civilizations
The Russian Federation proposed a similar initiative to the world ten years ago. The "Dialogue of Civilizations" forum is now a platform for discussing the problems of interfaith cooperation and coexistence. Gaynutdin is translated from Arabic as "the eye of religion". This is symbolic. supervisedRavila-hazrat Islam is developing, restoring and introducing into the life of its followers the peacefulness and tolerance that distant ancestors developed and bequeathed to keep forever. Such activities, hand in hand with leaders of other faiths, contribute to the establishment of interreligious harmony in Russia and beyond.
