Reporter: Nanang Syaikhu

Diorama room, UIN Online– As Russia and Indonesia are experiencing process of change, the two countries have the potential in sharing experiences, especially with the fact that there are significant growing number of Muslim population every year in both countries.

This was stated by President of Sifinat Group from Russia, Abu Supiyan Kharkharov, when delivering a general lecture before the academic society of UIN Jakarta in Diorama room, (21/5). He also asserted that Russia and Indonesia this year are commemorating 60 years of cooperation.

“Thus, religious dialog between Russia and Indonesia become important especially after both countries experienced very significant changes in political system,” said Kharkharov.

Russia, is currently becoming a country which reject communism. This makes it possible for Muslim Russians to perform their faith openly. While Indonesia, is also experiencing changes in terms of the lives of Muslims.

“It is due to this similarity, in my opinion, Russia and Indonesia have the potential to exchange experiences, especially in the efforts to understand how to handle the processes appearing after the changes,” he asserted. He also reminded that in Indonesia all the problems in the field of politics and economy often related to the religious life of the society.

Kharkharov said that Russia is an inseparable part of Islamic world. Islam has even entered Rusia in the 7^th century. Valuable contacts which are needed to create stability between Islamic world and Russia is experiencing great development. This is related with problem in the Caucasus where Islam is an important factor which influences the geopolitical position and security of Russia.

Kharkharov also explained that the main problem which is currently faced by Russia is the emergence of radicalism movements among the young generation of Islam. It is unfortunate that an effective comparison have not been found to balance the ideas of radicalism. This is essential as a way to find solutions through delving real Islamic values.

“Thus, in order to guarantee long term stability in North Caucasus we need to work together with our fellow Muslim brothers in the Islamic world. This is done so as to find the right steps for the salvation of our children from the ideas of radicalism,” he said. (elve/ns)