The Moslem world, which is going though difficult times now, has come to realize that Moscow may become an important partner to it, Mr. Popov said to Russian reporters in Lebanon, where he had arrived for a visit.
In reply to a question as to why Russia is seeking observer status in the OIC, the diplomat gave the following three reasons. First of all, ten percent of the Russian population are Moslems and conditions need to be created for them to get a sense of belonging to the wider Moslem world. Secondly, the Russian state has always rested upon cooperation between Orthodox Christianity and Islam. And thirdly, it is only through joint effort that global challenges, including terrorism, can be coped with.
"Terrorism is enemy to a lot of nations, including Islamic nations, such as Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, there are political forces out there who try to equate Islam with terrorism. Which is why both Russia and the Islamic world are interested in cooperating with each other," Mr. Popov said.
Interfaith and intercultural dialogue is an imperative these days, argues the Russian ambassador. It should be conducted at various levels, including within the framework of the OIC, which is not a purely religious organization, but also a political, interstate and intergovernmental alliance, bringing together 57 countries, Mr. Popov said. He described the Organization of the Islamic Conference as a mini UN, saying that any forms of cooperation within its framework are possible. "We are ready for forms of cooperation that are acceptable to Islamic countries themselves," he said.
Asked about the objective of his current visit to Lebanon, an OIC member nation, the Russian ambassador said that he would like to study that country's experience of maintaining harmony between its seventeen religious denominations.
"On our planet, there is no way other than cooperation. It is therefore necessary to study every nugget of the positive experience that has been accumulated. As for Lebanon's experience, it is unique," Mr. Popov pointed out.
