President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Attends Iftar, Honors Muslim Soldiers and Religious Communities
On March 13, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the Iftar in Kyiv, which brought together Muslim servicemen, leaders of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, diplomats, and religious representatives. The event, held during the holy month of Ramadan, took place at the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea.
The tradition of the State Iftar was initiated by the President of Ukraine in 2023 and has since been held at the highest official level. The event was organized by the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea, with the support of the Crimean Tatar community in Kyiv.
The Iftar was also attended by Deputy Head of the Office of the President Olena Kovalska; Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Lytvynenko; Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Olha Kurishko; Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov; Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Tamila Tasheva; Leader of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa Dzhemilev; Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Refat Chubarov; First Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis Nariman Dzhelyal; Mufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Sheikh Aider Rustamov; Deputy Mufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine Umma Suleiman Khairullaiev; Minister of Trade of Türkiye Ömer Bolat; Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye İbrahim Yumaklı; and the heads of diplomatic missions from Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Libya, Pakistan, South Africa, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Sudan.
In his speech, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that international support remains crucial in countering Russian aggression. He stressed that increasing sanctions and political pressure on Russia will contribute to achieving a just and lasting peace.
“And it may happen, if the pressure from America on Russia is sufficient, that during Ramadan, the opportunity will arise to take strong diplomatic steps for the sake of peace, to start developing a real plan for ending the war and ensuring security. In Ukraine, we all hope that this international effort will be effective, and that silence in the sky, at sea, and on the front lines will help bring peace,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President paid special attention to the liberation of Crimea and the release of Ukrainian political prisoners. He called on international partners to support Ukraine in its struggle to bring back its unlawfully detained citizens.
“Please, stand with Ukraine, support Ukraine, support its national interests. We remember all our people who are in captivity and on occupied territory, we remember our Crimea. We are working to ensure that all our people return home—like Nariman, like Leniie—and together we are bringing peace and justice closer for all of Ukraine,” emphasized the Head of State.
For their personal courage and heroism in defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as their dedicated service to the Ukrainian people, the President awarded military personnel. Volodymyr Zelenskyy granted the title of “Hero of Ukraine” with the Golden Star Order to servicemen and honored defenders with the Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Order (III degree), the Order for Courage (III degree), the Order of Danylo Halytskyi, and the Medal “For Military Service to Ukraine.”
The Mufti and Head of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea, Aider Rustamov, recited the Iftar prayer, marking the conclusion of the daily fast.
As part of the state Iftar, the exhibition Al-Inkan was presented, highlighting the destruction of Ukraine’s religious heritage, the persecution of clergy, and the role of religious communities in resisting Russian aggression.
A dedicated section of the exhibition focused on the deliberate destruction of religious sites in temporarily occupied regions. Among them were mosques in Bakhmut, Mariupol, and Kyiv, which suffered attacks, as well as the Big Khan Mosque in Bakhchysarai, which was destroyed under the guise of “restoration.”
Another segment of the exhibition was devoted to Muslim chaplains who serve in the military, even in the most intense combat zones. The exhibit featured the stories of Haji Murad Putilin, Pavlo Fedosov, and Rustem Asanov, who endured Russian captivity and torture but continues to fight for religious freedom.
The Iftar brought together servicemen, clergy, and diplomats, highlighting the importance of interfaith dialogue and unity. We extend our gratitude to all participants, especially the Muslim servicemen who continue to defend Ukraine.
Qalbimiz Qırımdadır. Ramazan ayı mübarek olsun! (Our hearts remain in Crimea. May the month of Ramadan be blessed!)
