During the visit, a number of bilateral meetings were held with representatives of the executive branch, as well as religious and public organisations.
Between 17 and 20 January 2020, the Federation Council’s delegation headed by Deputy Speaker Ilyas Umakhanov visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
During the visit, a meeting was held with the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Tahir Benten. The parties discussed issues of Russian-Saudi humanitarian cooperation, including those related to the pilgrimage of Russian Muslims to the holy places located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The high level of work of the Russian hajj mission in organising the pilgrimage was noted.
As Hajj Commissioner at the Russian Government Commission on Religious Organisations, Ilyas Umakhanov signed a protocol on behalf of the Russian side on organising a pilgrimage of Russian Muslims in 2020. On the Saudi side, the protocol was signed by Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat.
The parties expressed confidence that the 2020 hajj campaign will be well organised, as always, in accordance with the approved documents.
The delegation also met with representatives of a number of religious and public organisations to discuss the development of popular diplomacy tools.
The Russian delegation also included Belan Khamchiyev, member of the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture and Food Policy and Environmental Management and representative of the People’s Assembly of the Republic of Ingushetia.