MOSCOW, January 1, 2004. /RIA Novosti correspondent Olga Lipich/. Ravil Gainutdin, chairman of Russia's Board of Muftis, has wished all Russians a happy New Year.
"I wish in the new year 2004 peace, prosperity and wellbeing to every family," the mufti emphasised in a RIA Novosti interview.
He also wished that "misfortunes pass us by and success attend us".
"The New Year festivities have no religious undertones," remarked Gainutdin. "They are a gay, kind and, above all, family holiday which all citizens of this country love, and the Russian Muslims are no exception," the mufti concluded.
