First Russian public TV channel for Muslims goes live

The first public TV channel for Muslims, broadcasting 24/7 in the Russian language, has been launched in the country. The challenge is to raise awareness and understanding of Islamic religious traditions and Muslim culture.

­The opening of the channel in eight Russian regions coincides with the major religious holiday celebration of Uraza Bayram, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The programs are broadcast in Russia’s North Caucasus, and the Republics of Bashkortostan and Tatarstan.

“Al RTV is not state-funded, it’s an answer to hopes and needs of the believers, our country’s Muslims,” Deputy Chairman of the Russian Muslim's Religious Directorate for European Regions, Damir Mukhetdinov told Voice of Russia radio. The channel will be funded primarily with support of the private sector.

Mukhetdinov explained the founders of the channel are three ethnic Muslims, who wish to promote Islam across the country.

“As far as I know, all the leading Islamic states of the Persian Gulf, Iran and Turkey, have expressed a huge interest in our project. I wouldn’t be surprised if as soon as our foreign Muslim brothers see that the channel features a positive outlook and is not serving the interests of separate Islamic groups or movements but has a humanistic and educating angle, there will be no problems with financing whatsoever,” Damir Mukhetdinov added.

It’s hoped that once “Al RTV” proves a success the channel will expand and open more offices in the other regions and republics of Russia where over a million Muslims live.