In any country, there are such individuals whose activities leave an imprint on society, pushing it towards positive changes. Fortunately, there are many such people in Russia. Gainutdin Ravil is rightfully considered one of them. This man has been leading the country's Muftis Council for over twenty-five years. What did he manage to do over the years? Let's get it right.
Ravil Gainutdin: biography
Our hero was born and raised in the small village of Shali, Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (08/25/1959). His parents were ordinary workers. Gainutdin Ravil first learned about Islam from his own grandmother. She lived in the family and devoted, as usual, a lot of time to raising children. Grandmother told little Ravil about the basics of religion, revealed the essence and meaning of traditions, taught to pray. All of this was very interested in the grandson. Over time, he decided to devote himself to serving Allah. At the end of the school, the current Russian mufti Ravil Gaynutdin went to Bukhara. There he entered the Mir-Arab spiritual madrasah. Studying was easy for him. He completed the seven-year course in just four years, passing the required tests as an external student. The first place of service to him was determined by the Kazan Cathedral Mosque "Nur Islam". The post was called the first imam-khatib. In 1987, he moved to Moscow. Gainutdin Ravil, by then already elected executive secretary of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the European part of the USSR and Siberia in Ufa, was appointed imam-khatib of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.
The years of the collapse of the USSR
Today, the older generation is surprised and horrified, recalling what trials the former Soviet citizens had to go through. Many starved, could not earn a living, lost their profession, buried loved ones. But this was not the worst. Spiritual emptiness reigned in the then society. Mufti Ravil Gainutdin was one of the few who managed to understand the state of the people. He made efforts to revive the religious identity of society.
The revival of Islam
In Moscow, he organized courses on the study of the Arabic language. He told people about the traditions of Islam, ritual practice. It was very timely. Frustrated, immersed in problems, desperate, citizens reached out to the mosque, where they received much-needed spiritual support. Both small children and senior citizens who wanted to learn more about their religion. People, realizing that their familiar world is crumbling, sought solace in eternal values. And religion is the first among them. Many felt the need to join the knowledge, which was not previously possible to obtain. The Qur'an Muslims wanted to read in Arabic. All this mufti was understandable. He constantly expanded his activities so that not a single person was left whitewashed by attention.
International activity
The Muslim world is wide enough. Gainutdin Ravil does not limit his work only to the life of the Ummah. He is a member of several reputable international organizations. He takes part in the activities of the Eurasian Islamic Council. He considers it necessary to promote the convergence of believers, to strengthen ties between people and states. In addition, he takes part in the work of the World Islamic League (WIL). Several books came out from under the mufti's pen. The first known work is his dissertation. The theme and at the same time its name is “Islam in Russia”. As he himself admits, it was an experience of philosophical analysis. It is clear that the efforts of the spiritual leaders of Muslims are now in demand. Indeed, in the world there are very dangerous trends. Believers face evil pretending to be true religiosity. This refers to the IS organization banned in Russia. The clergy of all faiths face previously unknown challenges. People should be protected from deception, worse than death. This is a complete spiritual rebirth in real animals, ruthlessly killing their own kind.
"Allah tests the one whom he sincerely loves."
Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin works a lot. Put in the heading of the paragraph by the saying of the Prophet Muhammad, believers characterize its diverse activities. In addition to direct duties, the organization of mass events and large spiritual celebrations often fell on his shoulders. Even communication with the Russian government, statesmen of the Muslim world. In his busy schedule, there is always time for the reception of ordinary citizens. They go to the mufti from all over the vast country. It is important for people to hear his wise advice. After all, their requests are not among the simple ones. People ask very difficult questions, wait for a balanced answer and assistance. 2015 was marked by the opening of the reconstructed and expanded Moscow mosque. Work also went under the scrutiny of Ravil Hazrat. More than thirty Muslim peoples live in the country. In this difficult time, they should be combined, to prevent the emergence of not only conflicts, but also attempts to disconnect. Ravil-Khazarat himself considers this direction to be the main one, putting a lot of effort for its most complete implementation.
Peaceful life and development is our main goal
The Mufti consistently upholds the principles of a civilized dialogue of people of different faiths and faiths. The sermon of Ravil Gainutdin, as a rule, is based on a wise approach to conflict situations, the belief that any problem can be resolved unarmed. Peace on the planet, calm cooperation and development, he calls the only way for humanity. Ravil-Khazarat actively cooperates with representatives of the clergy of countries in which civil conflicts are going on. His appeals to them are filled with philanthropy and compassion. He seeks to understand different points of view. However, he fundamentally favors the negotiation process in cases of tension. The society should exist in harmony, conduct a civil dialogue, the mufti believes. Under his direct leadership, Muslim Moscow is becoming a center of attraction for the entire Islamic world. Interaction with the leaders of the Russian Federation only contributes to this process.
Strengthening Islam and spiritual education of the younger generation
Ravil-Khazarat pays considerable attention to the organization of activities of Muslim educational institutions. On his initiative, two special universities were opened in the Russian Federation (1998 - Kazan, 1999 - Moscow). Young people need to be brought up from the cradle, so that later they do not have to urgently correct mistakes when trouble knocks on the door. At the end of the last century, Ravil-Khazarat proposed to His Holiness the Patriarch to organize the interaction of various faiths. For this, the Interreligious Council of Russia was established. Such a diverse and huge country cannot allow conflicts on its territory. Moreover, the international situation shows constant instability. Blowing up a fire is very easy if people are separated.
Dialogue of civilizations
A similar initiative of the Russian Federation was proposed to the world ten years ago. The Dialogue of Civilizations forum is now a platform for discussing issues of interfaith cooperation and coexistence. Gainutdin is translated from Arabic as "the eye of religion." This is symbolic. Under the supervision of Ravil Hazrat, Islam develops, restoring and introducing into the life of its followers the peace and tolerance that developed by distant ancestors and bequeathed to keep forever. Such activities, hand in hand with leaders of other faiths, contribute to the establishment of inter-religious harmony in Russia and abroad.