VLADIMIR PUTIN CONGRATULATES RUSSIAN MUSLIMS








MOSCOW, March 5, 2001 /from a RIA Novosti correspondent/ -- Vladimir Putin has congratulated Russian Muslims on the festival of Kurban Bairam.


	The letter of congratulations reads that "the festival of Kurban Bairam dating back to the ancient traditions of Islamic culture is a most holy event for every Muslim and a truly people's festival. I share the ambitions of Muslim spiritual leaders to unite the efforts of the state and religious organisations as an important condition of civic accord, good neighbourliness and mutual understanding between all peoples of the multinational Russia and prosperity of our Fatherland." Sending hearty congratulations to Russian Muslims on Kurban Bairam, Vladimir Putin wished them good health, happiness and wealth. "Peace to you and your family!" the letter reads.