Our Common Path to Peace and Prosperity

The decision by President Vladimir Putin to declare 2026 the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia is a profound state and moral guideline, strengthening the spiritual solidarity and historical continuity of our Fatherland.

A Historical Choice and Shared Values

In Russia, where dozens of cultures, languages, and faiths have intertwined for centuries, the ability to find mutual understanding has always remained the cornerstone of statehood. We are bound not only by a common history, but also by a shared present and a common tomorrow. This decision by the President became a special sign of our striving for harmony, trust, and mutual respect. Today it is especially clearly felt that we have immeasurably more in common than what divides us. The foundation of our bond consists of simple but eternal truths: care for the family, respect for the elder generations, concern for the rising generation, and a sincere desire to live in peace and prosperity.

It is here, on this land, that our children will build their lives. These guiding values permeate all the traditional ways of life and religious traditions rooted in Russian soil. We share one dream — to see our heirs happy, our homes strong, and our country prosperous. Of course, reality is not without contradictions, and the path to social harmony is never smooth. However, instead of seeking reasons for discord, it is wiser to focus on points of common ground. Where disputes arise, dialogue is needed; where estrangement is brewing, cooperation is called for.

Every citizen is capable of becoming a connecting link between different cultures and faiths. Cohesion begins with a personal choice: to respect the customs of one’s neighbors, to extend a helping hand regardless of origin or faith, to instill in children a love for the diversity of their native land. In the professional sphere, this is expressed in an ethical attitude toward colleagues and partners, while leaders can create an atmosphere of mutual respect, encourage intercultural initiatives, and show sensitivity to the needs of their subordinates. In the heart of every citizen there should live devotion to the Motherland and respect for one’s neighbor, for we are all descended from the same parents, Adam and Eve, and are the creations of the One Creator.

Through the Centuries to a Common Victory: The Historical Foundation

Russia is not simply a geographical space but a unique civilization bound together not by a line on a map, but by an inner spirit. Over the centuries, the state endured upheavals capable of destroying any other power. But every time mortal danger loomed, a true miracle occurred — the people came together as one. Representatives of different nationalities, social classes, and faiths forgot their disagreements and became an unbreakable whole. The chronicle of our national history is written not in numbers, but in the readiness to stand shoulder to shoulder.

A vivid testament to this were the events of the early 17th century. The state, engulfed in turmoil and schism, with an occupied capital and a faltering government, found itself on the brink of ruin. Then Kuzma Minin, a town elder from Nizhny Novgorod, and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky raised the Second People’s Militia. This was not a regular army but a sincere nationwide impulse. In its ranks stood Russians and Tatars, Chuvash and Mordovians, clergy, merchants, and farmers. They drew no lines by blood or faith. For them there existed only one distinction: those ready to give their lives for the Fatherland, and those who came to destroy it. The liberation of the capital in 1612 became a triumph of national self-awareness.

Two centuries later, Russia had to endure an even harsher trial. Napoleon, who had subjugated half of Europe, was convinced that our country would crumble at the very first blow. History proved the opposite. The War of 1812 rightfully bears the name ‘Patriotic,’ for the entire people took part in it. Nobles and peasants, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, and representatives of other faiths united in the face of the invasion. Militiamen from the heartland, Bashkir horsemen, Don and Kuban Cossacks, Georgian officers of the Russian army — all of them fought for their common land. This victory inscribed forever in world history a simple truth: the unity of the peoples of Russia cannot be broken.

The Great Patriotic War

The Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945 became the most tragic and most heroic watershed. The enemy planned not merely to seize lands, but to physically annihilate the country’s population. In response came the call: ‘Everything for the front, everything for victory!’ The multinational Soviet people, having overcome the gravest internal upheavals of the 1930s, managed to crush the Nazi machine and liberate the world from tyranny.

The main weapon was unity, comradeship, and unparalleled heroism. A unique photograph has survived to our day, showing Muslim and Orthodox clergy standing in one row with state decorations on their chests. The authorities recognized their contribution with the medals ‘For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945,’ expressing gratitude for organizing rear-area assistance. Representatives of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and other faiths raised over one and a half billion rubles for the State Defense Committee.

In early 1942, the Central Spiritual Board of Muslims of the USSR issued an address to all Muslims of the world calling on them to resist fascism. The text, originally composed in Tatar, was then translated into many languages and read aloud in every functioning mosque. The Spiritual Board of Muslims of the USSR declared a holy jihad against German fascism. The Mufti Gabdrakhman Rasulev called on believers to stand up in defense of the Motherland, and his words did not go unheeded — even Supreme Commander-in-Chief I. V. Stalin sent a telegram of gratitude for their care for the fate of the country and its people. The evacuation of industrial enterprises to the Urals, Siberia, and the republics of Central Asia became a model of unprecedented mutual aid. Local residents received the evacuees as their own and shared their last with them. At the front, representatives of all peoples and religions fought side by side in the same trench. Victory became possible precisely because the country acted as one big family.

My First Meeting and Acquaintance with the President

The year 1999 also entered history as a time when the fate of the state’s territorial integrity was being decided. In that difficult period, I was part of a delegation led by Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and was sent to the Republic of Dagestan, which had been subjected to an invasion by international terrorist groups.

It was then that I made my personal acquaintance with the future President. Since then, I have drawn inspiration for many projects aimed at bringing peoples and faiths closer together from his programmatic speeches. The Year of the Unity of Russia’s Peoples is not a segment of the calendar but a continuous process that began back in 1999. This tradition is alive today as well: together we resist global challenges and safeguard our state.

The Special Military Operation

History does not stand still — it continues to be made right now. In the course of the special military operation, we again observe how the ancient mechanism of national unity works. Volunteers from all regions go to the front. When it comes to the safety of loved ones and the defense of the Fatherland, origin and religion fade into the background. Muslim and Orthodox clergy jointly provide spiritual mentorship and support to the fighters. A telling example was Imam of Kursk Oblast Isa Salimsultanov and Orthodox priest Father Evgeny, who during combat operations jointly evacuated civilians, including women and children, from dangerous areas.

On the home front, millions of citizens are engaged in collecting humanitarian aid, sewing equipment, and caring for the wounded. This is the modern embodiment of the people’s militia. The enemy, like the invaders of the past, is trying to split society by inflaming ethnic and religious discord. But these calculations come to naught against the harsh truth of life: in hospitals, volunteer headquarters, and rear-area centers, people understand one another at a glance. They are bound by a common purpose and a common destiny.

From the first days of the special military operation, the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia intensified its patriotic work; our imams serve on the front lines, providing spiritual support to the defenders of the Fatherland. In the rear, they explain the goals and objectives of the operation and organize the collection of aid for participants and their families. Meetings with the defenders were held repeatedly, and trips to the combat zone were made. Believers daily offer prayers for victory, for the prosperity of the state, and for the preservation of peace and accord within the country. The Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia regularly organizes deliveries of medicines, food kits, and essential goods both to the combat zone and to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and the new territories. Such initiatives serve a dual function. On the one hand, they solve concrete, pressing everyday and medical problems. On the other — no less importantly — they contribute to strengthening the spiritual unity and moral climate of society, vividly demonstrating the solidarity of all segments of the population in supporting those who, weapons in hand, stand in defense of the nation’s interests. In this union of mercy and faith is born the strength that helps to overcome the most difficult trials.

Spiritual Bonds: When Barriers Crumble Before the Higher Truth

Behind this entire succession of historical milestones lies a profound sacred meaning. Humanity is accustomed to erecting partitions: linguistic, racial, and confessional. But at turning-point moments, these artificial barriers crumble. The wisdom of one of the ascetics states:

The fences that people build on earth do not reach the sky.

Folk wisdom

This is a reminder that earthly divisions are transient. Before the Creator, all are equal; we are bound by a common chronicle, a common destiny, and common prospects. History will preserve not our differences but our deeds: how representatives of different faiths profess one goal — the triumph of good and justice.

In this regard, the words of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin resonate with particular force: observing the feats of heroes such as the young Dagestani, a Lak by nationality, Nurmagomed Gadzhimagomedov, he noted that at such moments one wants to say:

I am a Lak, I am a Dagestani, I am a Chechen, an Ingush, a Russian, a Tatar, a Jew, a Mordvin, an Ossetian.

V. V. Putin

It is impossible to name them all.

St. George the Victorious: A Symbol of the Unity of Christians and Muslims on Russia’s Coat of Arms

Above all martial feats, above any human partitions, a spiritual guidepost has risen for centuries. Its most vivid embodiment is the state coat of arms. On the shield of the Russian coat of arms is depicted a horseman in shining armor, slaying a serpent with his spear. This is the holy Great Martyr George the Victorious, the archetypal image of the triumph of light over darkness, of faith over lawlessness. Behind this emblem stands a common spiritual heritage uniting millions of citizens. In the Islamic tradition, the same righteous man is known as Jirjis — the unyielding defender of truth, a servant of the Almighty. This horseman seems to race through the epochs — from the warriors of the 17th century to today’s fighters. As long as we are under one sky and believe in the triumph of justice, our state is invulnerable. The cohesion of the peoples of Russia is a divine gift, our salvation, the guarantee of our survival and development. From the Battle of Kulikovo to the ‘Immortal Regiment,’ from the militiamen of 1612 to today’s volunteers, a single idea runs through: we are invincible only together.

Education of Youth in Love for Russia — A Path to the Unity of Peoples

Education of Youth in Love for Russia — A Path to the Unity of Peoples

The younger generation determines the state’s tomorrow, and therefore questions of upbringing are among the top priorities.

The quality of moral guidance directly affects the country’s prospects. In recent decades, young people have encountered a multitude of destructive external influences that negatively affect the psyche and spiritual condition. Together with state structures, we make efforts to meet the spiritual needs of the Muslim community and to raise youth in an atmosphere of respect for the cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity of Russia. In sermons and meetings with parishioners, especially with young people, we emphasize the defining role of the Russian people and Orthodoxy in shaping our national spirituality and culture. We teach them to treat all fellow citizens with care and to treat women with due respect. Our care and involvement in the life of the community serve as a reliable barrier against radical movements that seek to discredit the authorities and sow enmity between faiths and ethnic groups.

Systematic educational activities contribute to the formation of an all-Russian civic identity and play a key role in preventing extremist and terrorist ideas. Our mission is directed at the consolidation of society, the harmonization of inter-ethnic and interfaith ties, the strengthening of good-neighborly relations, the cultivation of patriotism, and the formation of a firm rejection of the ideology of violence.

Traditional leaders of the clergy have historically served as guarantors of social harmony. Their authority and wisdom make it possible to find common grounds for dialogue, relying on shared moral principles. We are aware of our responsibility before the Creator and before the multi-ethnic Russian people. This activity is fully consistent with Presidential Decree No. 809 of November 9, 2022. For maximum effectiveness, close interaction between the authorities and religious associations is necessary. We are ready to actively participate in public life and to implement socially significant initiatives. Our goal is to benefit society and to do everything possible for the prosperity of the Russian Federation.

COVID — Another Difficult Page in Our Country’s History

Our country lived through a difficult period of the pandemic, when all resources were mobilized to fight the virus. Many citizens lost their income and faced material hardships. Realizing the scale of the problem, the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia did everything possible to support those who found themselves in a hopeless situation. During that period, the campaign ‘We Are With You’ was launched. Registers were compiled and categories of citizens in need of priority support were identified.

With the participation of the charitable foundations ‘Miloserdie’ and ‘Insan,’ as well as numerous volunteer associations, a large-scale campaign was deployed to deliver food parcels, medicines, and personal protective equipment to residents of the Moscow region and other regions.

Help was received by the low-income, the unemployed, people with disabilities, pensioners, veterans of the Great Patriotic War, ambulance workers, large families, single mothers, and everyone who asked for assistance. Tens of thousands of kits were distributed throughout the country.

Such projects bring not only material but also deep spiritual benefit; they bestow reassurance and faith in tomorrow. People feel that they have not been left to the mercy of fate and that society remembers them in a difficult hour. Generosity uplifts and brings hearts closer together. The one who extended a helping hand in the hour of need is remembered and prayed for.

Special attention was paid to veterans and the delivery of food to them. In the harsh war years, they stood firm for the sake of our peace and liberated the planet from Nazism. When the planet was engulfed by the epidemic and people were forced to remain in isolation, it was our duty to surround the defenders of the Fatherland and the home-front workers with care. We draw no lines by national or religious affiliation and helped everyone in need. Charity has become our good habit. We thank all those who did not remain indifferent and help to carry out such initiatives.

The delivery of hot meals for ambulance crews was also organized. Medical workers carry out a God-pleasing mission, helping people in the most critical situations. They work around the clock, often without the chance to eat normally. And during the pandemic, they saved lives at the risk of their own. We decided to support them; we value their selflessness and pray for their health.

Our Common Path to Salvation

As long as we preserve the memory of the feats of our ancestors, as long as we are able to share another’s pain and joy as our own, no external challenges will be able to break us. We constitute a single Russian people. And it is precisely this cohesion that guarantees our tomorrow.

As Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin rightly emphasized:

Let us remember: we are a united people, we are one people, and we have but one Russia.

V. V. Putin

These words serve as a moral compass for all the citizens of a multi-ethnic state.

The year 2026, declared the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia, is not simply an official formulation, but a living call to action for each of us. We all wish our country peace, harmony, and prosperity. And only in cohesion will we find the resources to realize these lofty goals.

Let us remember: our strength lies in diversity, and our true wealth lies in unity. May everyone feel a part of a big family, where different traditions, views, and beliefs are respected. Only in this way can we preserve peace, mutual support, and understanding. May these values remain the foundation of our society, helping us to overcome difficulties and move forward. Thank you for your attention, and I wish everyone peace, well-being, and peace of mind.

Krganov Albir Rifkatovich

Mufti of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia