"The current scope of our mutual understanding allows to overstep the limits of regular inter-confessional conferences to rise to a higher level of joint activities. The time has come to pool efforts of supreme spiritual leaders of the Commonwealth countries on a CIS Inter-confessioanl Council," says a related statement.
As the document points out, the Council will have for its main goal coordinating efforts by religious communities established in CIS countries to buttress peace between nations and religions, and promote social accord and stability. Thus, the Council will bring spiritual leaders together against extremism, terrorism and other shared challenges.
Alexis II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, and Sheikh-ul-Islam Allah-Shukiur Pasha-zadeh, head of the Muslim Board for the Caucasus, were elected honoured presidium co-chairmen of the Inter-confessional Council.