Русский
Strengthening ties with the countries of friendly Islamic civilization is among the absolute priorities of Russia’s foreign policy, according to Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister. He stated that “Russia’s unconditional foreign policy priorities include strengthening mutually beneficial ties with the states of friendly Islamic civilization and promoting dialogue with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which unites them.”
Lavrov was speaking at the annual information meeting of the leadership of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group with the ambassadors of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states.
He added that interethnic and interfaith harmony “has been and remains the most important element of the centuries-old Russian statehood.” Along with other traditional religions, Islam is an integral part of the spiritual, historical, and cultural heritage of our country.”
The OIC consists of 57 member states, 48 of which are Muslim-majority. The organization claims to be “the collective voice of the Muslim world” and works to “safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony.” Members include:
- Africa
Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, and Uganda.
- Asia
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen
- Europe
Albania.
- Americas
Guyana, and Suriname
Member states had a collective population of about a quarter of the world’s population.
