RUSSIA'S Orthodox archpriest Dmitri Smirnov has said that Muslims are closer to the teachings of Jesus than Christians adding that the future belongs to adherents of the Islamic faith.

In a sermon in Moscow on Sunday, Archpriest Smirnov recalled an experience shared with him by an elderly woman in his congregation. He mentioned that the woman told him that Muslim drivers never accept money when taking her to church, whereas Christian drivers were only interested in making money.

Archpriest Smirnov said: "A child doesn't take money from his mother, especially if she is going to pray. A Muslim bringing you to Easter or anything else is closer to the messiah Jesus Christ than a Christian who wants money because the Christian driver has no mercy, pity or kindness in his heart.

"A Muslim is not interested in gaining benefit from the old woman. Rather, the Muslim offers to take her around, take her to the laundrette, pay her bills, take her to the market, and carry her bags up to her floor or to her elevator if she has one."

Up to 15% of Russians are Muslim and Islam is the second largest religion in the country. In some parts of the northern Caucasus and Central Asian regions, Islam is the main religion, while around 2m Muslims also live in the capital Moscow.

Archpriest Smirnov added: "The future will belong to the Muslims and they will plough this land because today's Christians are not in need of these things. In fact, during their festivals the people are scared to enter their areas in Moscow because tens of thousands of young Muslim men fall down on their knees and worship God.

"Where have you seen that many Orthodox men? You cannot see them anywhere at any time."