The website of the Ukrainian Muslim Brotherhood organization has reported on a conference it sponsored that was attended by the President of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE). According to the website of ARRAID, the conference was entitled “Islam in the world of globalization” and was attended by FIOE President Shakib bin Maklouf (aka Chakib Ben Makhlouf) as well as members of the Ukrainian government:
On November, 5th, 2007 in the Islamic social cultural center of Kiev took place a conference «Islam in the world of globalization». The organizers of this meeting were Ukrainian public organization «The Ukrainian center of Islamic researches» and Ukrainian association of social organizations «Аl’raid». Conference has been dated to the 10th anniversary of activity IАSО «Аrraid» in Ukraine. …In the conference have been present the famous people of science, education and culture, representatives of public authorities, public and religious organizations, foreign guests and diplomats from the different countries of the world. Among participants of conference were famous in Islamic world Shakib bin Maklouf – the president of Federation of Islamic organizations in Europe; Udovenko G.Y. – the folk deputy of Ukraine; Sagan A.N. – the adviser of sekritariate of President of Ukraine; Khavadzhi R.F. – a deputy of permanent representative of president of Ukraine in ARC and others.
The report concluded by stating that “Globalization should not lead to destruction of spirituality of people” and that “There are no doubts that the Islam is capable to give deep and adequate answers for difficult questions of the present.”
ARRAID is the Ukrainian member organization of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE), the EU-level umbrella group for the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe. A Canadian scholar has reported that an ARRAID fundraising brochure stated that the organization:
… aims at the increase of ‘the cultural, social and educational level of Ukraine’s Muslims,’ the spread of Islamic culture among, and financial assistance for them, and Islamic proselytism (da’wa) in the country, …. ‘By this, Ar-Raid will become an important breach (thughra) in confronting Christian missionary attacks and Jewish expansion, so assist and help it to be able to follow the way it began..’
The organization claims anywhere from 9-13 chapters throughout Ukraine.