The Moscow Patriarchy admits that Russia may join
international Islamic organisations, said Father Michael Dudko, Secretary for Church
contacts with the secular community on the Moscow Patriarchy External Church
Relations Department.
He was commenting for Novosti on Vladimir Putin's statement about the
possibility of Russia joining the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, one of
the world's most influential Muslim leagues. The federal President announced
the prospect a few days ago, while on an official visit to Malaysia.
"Though the matter is certainly out of Russian Orthodox Church competence,
we deem it possible for Russia to contribute to the activities of international
Muslim organisations, the Islamic Conference being no exception," said
Father Michael. "This country is not purely Orthodox Christian, what with
its sizeable Muslim community," he explained the stance of the Moscow
Patriarchy.
He does not rule out the prospect shocking the Christian flockâtoo many regard
Russia as a thoroughly Christian country. An overwhelming majority of Russian
nationals belong to the Orthodox Christian Church, as against Muslims, who make
a mere 5-10% of the population, remarked Father Michael with reference to the
latest sociometric probes.
The Russian Orthodox Church represents its country in all international
organisations of Eastern Christendom (in particular, the International Orthodox
Assembly), and is in close contact with the World Council of Churches and the
Conference of European Churches, he added.