Statement by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the events at Makhachkala airport

DECR Communication service, 30.10.2023.

His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill issued a statement on the events at Makhachkala Uytash Airport on 29^th October 2023.

It is with great pain that I learnt of the disturbances at Makhachkala Uytash Airport, as a result of which a number of people have suffered, including those who work for the law enforcement agencies. I pray for the recovery of all those who at present find themselves in hospital as a result of these disturbances

I express my support for those Muslim leaders who have called for an end to these disturbances and I call upon all to listen to their words.

I consider what has taken place to be an attempt to sow division between Russia’s Muslims and Jews, who throughout the course of many centuries have maintained friendly relations and cooperation. There can be no moral justification for those who planned this attack on innocent people who have come to Dagestan, for they do not and cannot bear any responsibility for what is happening in the Middle East.

I have no doubt forces that will stop at nothing in order to bring disorder to our country took part in provoking this particular incident.

Several days ago there was a meeting between the Russian President Vladimir Putin and representatives of Russia’s traditional religions, during which we raised the topic of how the conflict in the Middle East should not tell on relations between Russia’s religious communities. We see in these events an attempt to bring to our land conflict which is alien to us.

I call upon all of my compatriots, whether they be Orthodox Christians, Muslims or Jews, to value and with all their endeavours to strengthen the interreligious peace which has been built up by the many generations of our forefathers and together to withstand sincerely all possible attempts to undermine it.

+Kirill

Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'

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Statement by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the events at Makhachkala airport

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