Mufti Albir Krganov stated the late Pope Francis will be remembered for his dedication to dialogue, justice, and peace.
Moscow’s Mufti, Albir Krganov, conveyed his condolences to Catholics following the death of Pope Francis, acknowledging the pontiff’s work in resolving global conflicts and fostering connections between different faiths.
Pope Francis passed away at 88 on Monday, a day after celebrating Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square. He had been the head of the Catholic Church since 2013.
Krganov, who is also the head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia (DSMR), stated on Monday: “On behalf of Russian Muslims, we offer our deepest condolences to Catholics worldwide on the death of Pope Francis.”
Krganov noted that during his 12-year leadership, Francis “devoted considerable attention to social justice, aiding those in need, and safeguarding human dignity.”
The Muslim leader added, “His Holiness consistently promoted peace and urged the cessation of conflicts, including in Palestine, stressing the significance of respecting humanitarian rights and seeking harmony among nations.”
During his Easter address, the Pope reiterated his call for a ceasefire in the “terrible conflict” in Gaza, urging the release of hostages and assistance for the starving population seeking a peaceful future. He emphasized the “dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation” faced by Palestinians in Gaza due to Israeli attacks.
Krganov also emphasized the pontiff’s efforts to advance “inter-religious dialogue,” noting that “the agreement he signed between the Vatican and Al-Azhar University stands as a unique example of Christian-Muslim collaboration.”
Pope Francis and Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, signed the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in 2019. This marked the first time a Catholic Church leader had visited the Arabian Peninsula.
“Muslims will remember Pope Francis as a proponent of dialogue, justice, and peace,” concluded the Mufti of Moscow.
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