Source: Interfax-Religion
Moscow, October 29, 2015
Russian President Vladimir Putin has commended the country's traditional religions for their role in countering attempts to incite hatred in society.
"The consistent efforts of religious organizations aimed at suppressing any manifestations of extremism deserve our profound gratitude," the Russian president said in his message to participants in Moscow's 3rd Religion and Peace international forum on Thursday. Putin's address was read out by deputy director of the Russian presidential department for domestic policy Mikhail Belousov.
The fight against extremism is especially important today, "when the entire world has encountered serious problems and risks, the growth of national intolerance, the erosion and devaluation of traditional values," the Russian president said.
"Today representatives of Russia's traditional religions are actively participating in the country's life, pursuing broad educational, awareness-raising and charitable activities, paying constant attention to the upbringing of the younger generation and the strengthening of spiritual and moral foundations, and are doing a great deal to maintain peace and accord in society," Putin said in his message.
The president said he was confident that this forum would trigger a broad response and that "its recommendations will prove to be relevant, beyond any doubt."
The forum is being attended by representatives of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Judaism, as well as members of public organizations, religious scholars and sociologists from Russia, other CIS countries, Europe and the United States.
