By Jamal Fulani | Assalam | 04 Dec 2012

Production Center Art-films and "Tvorog - Media Group" launched a movie project "Muslims - the pride of Russia" to portray outstanding contribution by contemporary Russian Muslims. Presentation of the first two films took place last weekend at the Moscow Government House of public organizations.

The project authored by Ahmad Makarov and directed by Abdullah Issa is financially supported by Islamic culture, science and education development foundation.

The first film "Ahead of time" is about honored Russian aircraft designer Haidar Mussin, while the second film "Salidjan Sharipov Hour" tells the story about astronaut Salidjan Sharipov, Hero of Russia and Kyrgyzstan.

Haidar Musin was not only an outstanding aircraft designer who made an invaluable contribution to the development of domestic aviation, but also one of the first representatives of modern Muslim intellectuals in Russia. He developed the technique of ultra-precise orientation of mosques towards Mecca.

Space explorer Salidjan Sharipov conducted first manual launch of an artificial satellite of the Earth, held a series of important experiments, became a Hero of Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Despite all these engagements, he always remained as a devote Muslim. Sharipov took Quran into space, and recently made an Umra (minor pilgrimage) to the holy sites in Mecca and Medina.

"The purpose of the project - is, first, to show that there is no conflict between "Muslims" and "Patriots of Russia", and secondly, to give a positive example of a new generation of followers of Islam," - film director Rashid Iskhakov said IslamNews.

After completion of the project the films are expected to be freely available on the Internet, where everyone will be able to access them.