I was pleased to take up this invitation and had an interesting discussion with him about Islam, and the history of inter-denominational relations, in Ukraine.
At that time, the Mufti showed me the plans for the proposed new mosque in Kyiv, on an escarpment above Podil. They looked pretty ambitious to me; but he assured me that, with the right planning permissions, the mosque would be built.
I was therefore delighted to be invited, along with many others, to the opening of the new “Ar-Rahma” mosque in Kyiv on 2 December.
On a mild, sunny day, people crammed into the courtyard for opening speeches, including from representatives of the President and the Ukrainian government, before moving into the mosque itself for further ceremonies.
The growth of religious tolerance in Ukraine is a great achievement of the Ukrainian leadership and people. I wish the new mosque, and the Islamic community in Kyiv and in Ukraine as a whole, all the best for the future.
Leigh Turner has been the British Ambassador to Ukraine since June 2008. You can read all his blog entries at blogs.fco.gov.uk/roller/turnerenglish (in English) or blogs.fco.gov.uk/roller/turner/ (Ukrainian)
