Moscow, February 24, 2026 – Saudi Arabia has begun distributing dates and providing iftar meals to Muslim communities across Russia, initiatives launched last week and representing a continued commitment to supporting Muslims globally. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, operating through the Saudi Embassy in Russia, initiated the date distribution on Wednesday, February 18th, allocating five tons of dates to benefit over 10,000 individuals in ten Russian governorates.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ iftar program commenced on Friday, February 20th, at the Al-Shuhada Mosque in Moscow. This program is intended to strengthen bonds of brotherhood and solidarity with Muslims throughout the country, according to a statement released by the Saudi Press Agency.
These initiatives follow a series of strengthened ties between Saudi Arabia and Russia in recent years, particularly concerning Islamic affairs. In May 2025, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, met with Dr. Rushan Abbasov, Deputy Head of the Religious Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, in Riyadh. Discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in areas such as Hajj services, interfaith dialogue, and supporting Muslim communities in strengthening their Islamic identity. The meeting affirmed both nations’ commitment to deepening cooperation, as stated by Saudi officials.
Further solidifying this collaboration, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed in January between the Russian Muftis Council, the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation, and the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. This agreement builds upon an earlier executive program, signed in Jeddah on February 20, 2026, by Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh and Sheikh Rawi Ain Al-Deen, Head of the Religious Administration of Muslims of Russia. The program, covering the years 2023-2025, outlines plans for scientific training sessions in Russia aimed at rehabilitating religious leaders and promoting tolerance, as well as the provision of copies of the Holy Qur’an to Russian Islamic institutions.
The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance has emphasized that the growing relationship with Russia is occurring under the leadership of both Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and reflects a shared commitment to combating extremism and promoting Islamic values. The Kingdom has highlighted its historical progress in offering services to Muslims worldwide, focusing on tolerance and opposition to extremist ideologies.
The executive program also calls for both sides to clarify their positions on current issues, a point that remains unaddressed in public statements. The next scheduled step under the agreement is the implementation of the training sessions for religious leaders in Russia, with no specific date yet announced.
