Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Russian Muslims on the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the Kremlin said on Sunday.

“The Eid al-Fitr is one of the main religious holidays, which throughout many centuries celebrated by followers of Islam all over the world. Concluding the holy month of Ramadan, it carries a deep moral meaning, embodies the joy of renewal, the desire for self-improvement, the readiness to create good, to help those in need,” Putin said in a congratulatory telegram, as quoted by the Kremlin.

Putin noted that the active participation of Muslim organizations in the social and cultural life of the country, in the implementation of important charitable, educational, patriotic initiatives deserved the most sincere respect.

Islam is the second largest religion in Russia after Christianity. Up to 20 million Muslims live in Russia, comprising some 15 percent of the country’s population.

Source: Sputnik