He suggested in Moscow today that the next summit of the spiritual leaders of the CIS be held in Baku under the chairmanship of Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, "the greatest peacemaker of all times and nations," as the guest from Baku described the patriarch.
The idea of holding the 3rd forum in the Caucasus was supported by Izmail Berdiyev, chairman of the Co-ordinating Council of Muslims of the North Caucasus, who noted the effective joint work of the spiritual leaders of different religions to strengthen peace and stability in the region. Berdiyev also stressed that terrorism and Islam must not be associated because "suicide terrorists are not shakhids [religious martyrs]."
Ravil Gainutdin, head of the Council of Muftis of Russia, said the Council even approved a special Fetva - a holy commandment directed to Muslims worldwide - on the prohibition of the use of religious symbols of Islam in extremist actions.
