Concluding a two-day visit to Malaysia on 5 August, President Vladimir Putin made the surprise announcement that Russia is considering joining the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Putin noted that Russia has more than 20 million Muslims, more than many OIC members, including Malaysia. On 5 August, Council of Russian Muftis Chairman Ravil Gainutdin wholeheartedly endorsed Putin\'s proposal. \"That move would be especially important now that fighting with international terrorism is in full swing,\" Gainutdin told ITAR-TASS. Also on 5 August, a spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church told the news agency that Russia is a multiconfessional country and therefore \"it would be quite logical for Russia to seek membership in European as well as Oriental organizations, including the Islamic Conference.\" (ITAR-TASS)