Mufti of the Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine "Ummah" Said Ismagilov gave a lecture on the specifics of Muslim culture and etiquette at the Kyiv International Conference Center "Parkovy". It was attended by the People`s deputies participating in the inter-parliamentary friendship group together with colleagues from Muslim countries.
As Sheikh Said said, he acquainted them with the basics of Islamic culture and ethics, the prohibitions of doctrine for his followers, spoke about the peculiarities of communication among Muslim peoples:
"I not only spoke, but also answered the questions. In particular, about the boundaries in communication between men and women who are not relatives; about the influence of local traditions in a particular country on the rules of hospitality, and about some nuances in behavior or statements that are best avoided so as not to seem ignorant - at best. Knowledge of different people’s customs, traditions, religion and culture is not just a sign of an educated person, but a demonstration of respect for the interlocutor`s country of origin, and the importance of the impression that a politician will make on colleagues from other countries can hardly be overestimated not only for personal contacts, but also for interstate relations".
Ukrainian parliamentarians regularly meet with foreign colleagues from other countries both at international meetings and during the delegation visits. There are also inter-parliamentary friendship groups, whose members often communicate with each other as part of events at various levels. In addition to the generally accepted rules of etiquette and protocol requirements, it is very important to know the cultural characteristics and traditions of the interlocutors` countries to avoid misunderstandings. Sometimes a completely acceptable manner of communication or dress code in one country may be misunderstood in another. Knowledge of other people's customs and religion acquires special significance when communicating with representatives of countries that, despite globalization, were able to preserve their unique culture and traditions.
