"It is planned to discuss the consequences of the terrorist attack in Beslan," Roman Silantyev, the council's executive secretary, told RIA Novosti, "the activity of the Krishnaites, preparations for the first session of the Executive Committee of the CIS Interfaith Council and other urgent issues."
The session will be attended by Chairman of the foreign church relations department of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Kirill, Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia Mufti Ravil Gainutdin, Deputy Chairman of the Central Religious Muslims of Russia Board Mufti Muhammadgali Huzin, Chairman of the Coordinating Center of the Muslims of the North Caucasus Ismagil Berdiyev, Head Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar (FEOR), Head Rabbi of Russia Adolf Shayevich (KEROOR), Moscow representative of the Buddhist Traditional Sanghi of Russia Sanzhei-lama and also representatives of other religious communities.
The council is a public organization which unites the heads of the four leading religions in Russian: Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. The council was founded on December 23, 1998.
The purpose of this council is to coordinate the activity of the religious organizations in developing a dialogue, ensuring interfaith and interethnic peace and achieving accord and stability in society. The council's main tasks are to prevent possible ethnic and religious conflicts, establish traditional spiritual values in society, and conduct a dialogue with the state in Russia and other countries and international intergovernmental and interfaith organizations.
The heads of the council meet about four times a year. This session will be the 18th since the council was created.
