"We will fight terror consistently and without compromise," Medvedev said during a meeting with Muslim leaders, Interfax news agency reported.
"Muslim organizations are in the vanguard, and your struggle for the purity of faith requires great personal courage."
Medvedev praised efforts of Muslim scholars in highlighting the peaceful teachings of Islam.
He cited 20 Muslim leaders who lost their lives during their fight against extremism and terror.
“In the last year, over 20 muftis, who tried to withstand extremist interpretations of Islam, were killed,” Medvedev said.
"Sometimes, a religious leader must be very bold to openly say that real Islam has nothing to do with violence.” Medvedev acknowledged that there is no swift solution to the problem of terrorism.
"We cannot do away with terrorism overnight,” he said.
“But it is inspiring that we are united in our aims and our efforts.”
There are some 23 million Muslims in the Russian Federation representing roughly 15 percent of its 145 million population.
Islam is the country's second-largest religion representing roughly 15 percent of its 145 million predominantly Orthodox population.
Integration
Medvedev has also appealed for efforts of Muslim scholars to integrate Caucasian immigrants into the society.
"At present, many people of non-Moslem nationalities, who have fled from the Caucasus because of unrest, are coming back to their once abandoned homes,” he said.
“It is up to Muslim organizations to create a friendly atmosphere for these people. It would make special sense if you paid some attention to it," Medvedev said.
The Russian president's call has found attentive ears from Muslim leaders.
"A mufti must be long-sighted and tolerant,” Mufti Damir Mukhetdinov said.
"Muftis must preach tolerance and try to stop any manifestations of extremism.
“For centuries, Russians and other non-Muslim peoples have lived in the Caucasus next to Muslims – and they have always managed to find a common language,” he said.
“We have very good relations with the Russian Orthodox Church. We are trying to establish good relations with other confessions as well.”
source : http://abna.ir
