The message reads, in part:
"This is a holiday filled with the warmest and candid feelings. It is aimed at bringing people closer together and affirming the ideals of mutual respect and understanding in society.
"It is gratifying that the Russian Muslim community is successful in many ways, building new mosques, improving the system of Islamic education and organising mass pilgrimages to sacred sites. Muslims are actively involved in charity, help to strengthen family values and greatly contribute to the development of interaction between religions."