presentation convent school pakistan

Today's Paper | April 26, 2024

Presentation convent — a witness to over a century of history.

The Presentation Convent School in Lalkurti opened in 1895, the result of a movement started by Nano Nagle in Ireland in 1775.

Nagle’s Presentation Sisters and the Presentation congregation began in Cork and spread to towns and cities in Ireland before making its way to other parts of the world. In 1842, it reached the subcontinent and spread through the Presentation convent schools.

The Presentation Sisters came to Rawalpindi on Sept 8, 1895. The first nuns to come were Mother Ignatius McDermott, Sister Evangelist Coatsworth and Sister Xavier Lonergan. They opened the Presentation Convent School, and Mother Ignatius was its first headmistress.

The school opened with three pupils and three sisters, but today the Presentation Convent High School has more than 1,700 students from Year 1 to Year 10. Among the school’s students were former prime minister Benazir Bhutto who studied there for a few years, as well as Maj Gen Dr Shahida Malik and Dr Maleeha Lodhi.

When it first opened, the sisters taught children of British, Irish and Anglo-Indian army personnel. It was registered as a European school with a European code of rules.

On Feb 15, 1896, the school was added to the list of recognised schools. In September 1898, the sisters also built an orphanage on the convent grounds for 40 girls from Ajmer, India, who had left due to famine.

In the mean time, the number of students continued to grow and buses and horse-pulled carts were used to bring students who lived at a distance.

In 1938, the Presentation Sisters opened a post-matriculation college, the current principal Rehana Mehnga, told Dawn.

“It was called the St Ann’s College for Women and was built on the convent grounds. It was the first women’s college in Rawalpindi,” she said.

The school’s first brush with violence came in March 1947, when a communal riot broke out nearby.

“This time it was in Kahuta, a village about 25 miles southeast of Rawalpindi. For days, Hindus and Muslims were locked in a bloody battle. On the first day of the riots, the schoolchildren were playing together happily in the compound at recess when parents dashed in, grabbed their children and ran back out. In half an hour, the compound was empty. The school remained closed for several weeks, and then the children trailed back quietly,” Ms Mehnga said.

When the British left the country, she said the sisters remained and the school was filled with Pakistani students. The college, however, closed after partition.

She added: “1951 was a year of joy and a breath of fresh air, as four Punjabi girls joined the sisters to serve the people of their own country. They were Sister Clever Sharif, Sister Stephen Diwan, Sister Marie Rego and Sister Joan.”

Then, on Nov 21, 1979, the school was attacked. A mob set the building on fire in revenge for what the BBC reported to be “the desecration of holy places in Mecca by foreigners”.

The school’s Marian Block was the first to be attacked. Its louver windows were broken, its doors burnt and the furniture flung out of the top veranda into the flames. Another two-storey block attached to the sisters’ residence was so badly damaged that it had to be demolished.

“President Zia came to the school the following day. He promised to have the school repaired by the army. He was as good as his word. So many people came to help and to weep with the sisters over the tragedy. Letters of condolence poured in from friends all over the country,” Ms Mehnga said.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2018

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"The Almighty is all sufficient" - Nano Nagle

"It is a good sign of our future success that we should meet with crosses in the beginning" - Nano Nagle

"There is no greater happiness in the world than to be in Union" - Nano Nagle

"I am confident that the great God will direct you to what is most to His glory" - Nano Nagle

"We must leave it to the Almighty; He will do everything for the best in it" - Nano Nagle

"The Almighty makes use of the weakest means to bring about His works" - Nano Nagle

"I hope the increase of the charities you get, will enable you to daily add to the good you do" - Nano Nagle

"Love one another as you have hitherto done" - Nano Nagle

"The best works meet with the greatest crosses" - Nano Nagle

"God is all we need His divine hand will support us always" - Nano Nagle

"If I could be of any service in saving souls in any part of the globe I would willingly do all in my power" - Nano Nagle

"By degrees with the assistance of God we may do a great deal" - Nano Nagle

"You see it has pleased the Almighty to make me succeed" - Nano Nagle

"We do not know what is best for us, so we ought to accept what God sends us" - Nano Nagle

"Whoever we live with we must expect to have something to suffer as this world is not to be our paradise" - Nano Nagle

"Spend yourselves for the poor" - Nano Nagle

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History of Presentation Presence in Pakistan

In 1895 Presentation Sisters, Mother Ignatius McDermott, Sr Xavier Lonergan and Sr Evangelist Coatsworth arrived in Rawalpindi from Madras (India) and took up residence in the former convent of the Jesus and Mary Sisters. The first Mass was celebrated on 8 September 1895 and the school was opened on 1 October with  three Sisters, three pupils.  The school was for children of Christian parents, the sons and daughters of army personnel, British and Irish. 

Mother Ignatius McDermott was the founder of Presentation Convent Rawalpindi, she was appointed as the first Head Mistress of the school on 1 December 1895. On 15 February 1896, the school was placed on the list of recognized schools. Mother Ignatius opened the door of education and pastoral care for the children of Rawalpindi which was then part of the Sub-Continent. Since then, thousands from all religious denominations have attended the Presentation Convent School.

In September 1898, the Sisters also built an orphanage on the convent grounds for forty girls from Ajmer, India, who had left due to famine. In the meantime, the number of students continued to grow and buses and horse-pulled carts were used to bring students who lived at a distance.

The annals and the school logbook recorded every step they took in the years that followed. The picture portrayed is thickly overlaid with dark shadows of struggle, disappointment, disease and loss, with occasional shafts of bright light between. The first three convents and schools (Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Murree) were all situated in British military cantonment areas. They were engaged mostly in teaching the children of military personnel. It was for this they had come. The schools were registered as  European Type  and had a European Code of Rules. The number of native Indian pupils admitted were not allowed to exceed fifteen per cent. The overwhelming majority of the people living around them were Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. In 1908 Mother Columba O’Sullivan returned from Ireland with seven would-be postulants. As the years passed more Irish postulants gradually swelled the ranks and new foundations were made in the Sub-Continent.

The Sisters continued to answer the needs of the times, providing education for the women of India/Pakistan. They opened the first college for women in the North West Frontier Province. The Sisters continually planned for two schools in each area so that the Punjabi Christian children could have access to Christian education.

The British gave India her independence on 15 August 1947. Independence inevitably brought in its train the partition of the country. Delhi was found to be on the Eastern side of the border, Srinigar in a disputed area and the the five convents in Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Murree, Sargodha and Risalpur were all in the new country, Pakistan. The Hindu girls had gone, and their places were now taken by Muslim pupils.

In 1948, five young Punjabi girls came to live with the Sisters. This was the seed that gave birth to future Punjabi vocations. After partition in 1947 the Catholic Church emerged as a real indigenous Catholic Church. In January 1948, the new diocese of Rawalpindi was created. From 1951 onwards, many young Pakistani women joined the Presentation Sisters. In 1955, some Irish Sisters started going home for holidays for the first time.

The school first opened with three pupils and three Sisters, but today the Presentation Convent High School has more than 1,700 students from Year 1 to Year 10. Among the school’s students were former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who studied there for a few years, as well as Major General Dr Shahida Malik and Dr Maleeha Lodhi.

New Presentation Foundations made after 1895 (pre-partition) were:

Tando Allah Yar

This year has been a very mixed one due to frequent lockdowns to prevent Covid 19 spreading.

Pastoral/Social Work Tando Allah Y ar:   The ministry to the people in the villages continued with the pastoral team visiting as much as possible. But the poverty of the people is rising because of lack of labouring work due to Covid 19. There is some change in the landlords’ ways. Frequently people are being ordered to move off the landlords’ land with no notice. They are asked to pay some money to the landlord as he says they have a debt even though they have been working for a few years or many years for him. It seems that there is a law that if the people are living a long time on the land the village becomes government property. All of this is very unclear, but a pattern of eviction is emerging. The Kohlis feel helpless and fearful in the face of this and just move on. But this frequent moving is detrimental to their ability to earn a living.

At the parish centre a good doctor comes on Sundays and treats the poor people without

remuneration. The parish pays the doctor for his two hours work. This is very helpful to the people. We have also re-started the village literacy programmes. So far 7 centres have begun where women, girls, boys, and men are studying basic literacy, numeracy and health education. This beginning is being funded by the Nano Nagle Solidarity Fund. There is great interest in these sessions and two pastoral workers/supervisors are diligently working for this. The co-ordinator is Emer.

The Hostel in Tando Allah Yar:  There are 36 Kutchi Kohli Girls at present with us in the hostel, all are under 16 -17 years of age. The hostel provides for the religious, educational and physical needs of the children. Sr Nasreen looks after the hostel. This year due to Covid-19 the schools in Sindh Province were closed from 13 January 2021 till 30 April. The 9 th and 10 th class children could go to school, but the younger children could only go for homework.  We kept the girls in the hostel and provided some tuition classes for them. Because of Covid we did not have Easter celebrations in Tando Allah Yar for the people in the remote villages. The children’s parents did not visit so the children were very disappointed.  The exams are pending sometime in May. The children have also begun to learn sewing. The Nagle Solidarity Fund helps to subsidize the hostel. It is a diocesan hostel, but the diocese has very few funds. With the co-operation of the Sisters and the diocese the children get an opportunity to study. Some of the parents pay a minimal hostel fee, which is gathered after the harvest.

St Mary’s Presentation School :  Sr Mehwish Javed took over the school as Principal on 24 September 2020. It was a new difficult and challenging responsibility. There were different restrictions due to Covid-19, however the school activities went on at a small level. On 10 October 2020, a captains’ ceremony was held where Captains from all the classes took the oath for fulfilling their responsibility. Children were very happy to receive their badges and sashes from the Principal. Regular classes went on for all the students.  Monthly tests were taken, and 1st term results were based on monthly tests. In the beginning of December 2020 once again school was closed for primary section and regular classes were given to the middle and senior section. Sr Mehwish arranged different workshops regarding Maths, Urdu and English for the primary section teachers to revise the preparation and planning of the lessons with proper methods. On 20 December 2020, a sports day together with sharing of the meal among students, was arranged for those who attended the school regularly to encourage and appreciate them for their good attendance. 21 December 2020, we celebrated Christmas dinner along with the celebration of silver jubilee of one of the teachers, Sir Mohan Dharmoon, who is teaching in one of the branch schools in Karachi Hotel. It was a great and blessed day for all the staff of St Mary’s School Tando Allah Yar which was closed for Christmas. On 7 January 2021, the school reopened for the staff. Sr Mehwish arranged a workshop for the whole staff regarding the child safeguarding policy. She helped and encouraged the teachers to see to the needs of the children to try their best to provide a healthy and safe environment for the students. On 13 January 2021 we reopened the school and once again started the regular classes for all the grades. In February Second term exams were taken and parents were called to collect the result for their children. On 5 March 2021 Sr Mehwish went to Pindi for her Final Profession preparation. In her absence Srs Nasreen and Emer supervised the school. We are grateful to God for all His blessings for the staff and students, of St Mary’s Presentation School.

Pastoral and School Report Tando Adam: As the primary aim of our work in Sindh is to bring the Good News to the Kutchi Kohlis I, Sr Regina, visit the people with a Catechist in their villages. There we do bible services and prepare those who ask to become Christian for Baptism and Holy Communion. As part of our village visiting, we provide on-the-spot first aid for fevers, infections etc. and we give vitamin tablets for women and children. Local women from Kutchi and other tribes come to our house for medical help also. I supervise 5 one teacher village Primary schools in country areas also. Approximately 425 children attend these schools, 55 of whom are girls.

During the past year approval has been given to buy a two-acre plot where one of these village schools is situated. This future Catholic village will be a big step ahead in consolidating our work among the Kutchi Kohlis D.V. Sr Gretta looks after St Philip’s school in Tando Adam. She works in the school as well as seeing to the faith formation of the Punjabi community of the surrounding areas. She prepares people for Baptism and Holy Communion, decorates the churches in St Philip’s and St Joseph’s.  Visitation of families is done on a regular basis.

Tando Allah Yar Community

We at Risalpur Community have been carrying Nano’s lantern of hope, love and compassion to different people around us. We are involved in different activities which help people to strengthen their faith. We are a Community of three Sisters and all of us are actively involved in school and pastoral ministry.

Due to Covid-19, the activities have been limited. Still, we tried to keep mission and ministry going through:

Visitations

We have been visiting different areas of our Parish. We visit sick and needy family from time to time especially at times of bereavement and sickness.

We have been bringing Eucharist to sick and old people.

We involve Friends of Nano for helping us to visit different families.

Financial help is given to the very needy.

As the outside ministries are limited, more time is given to reading and praying.

In these difficult times we pray for our world and people continuously.

School Ministry

Online classes: Since March 2020, Rislapur school has been conducting online classes during the period of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. From September to November, we were happy to have regular classes in groups, following the Standard Operations Procedure (SOP). In January 2021, the school reopened again as the Covid-19 situated improved a little. We were happy to have regular classes, final exams and result. The new academic session started with online classes as schools are closed again in April 2021.

Presentation Day Novena Prayers and Celebrations

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, although we were not allowed to have any gathering but for Presentation Day Novena, we decided to have a gathering for classes 1 to 10 following all the safety instructions of social distancing and wearing of masks. The gathering for the for the Novena was a pleasant change in the school environment and felt bit like normal!! Our Presentation Day celebrations started with Holy Mass at 7:30am. Fr Tom celebrated the Mass and made it very special for us. Later the Sisters celebrated Presentation Day with all the  school staff. Teachers prepared very nice items to honour Mother Mary, Nano Nagle and Presentation Sisters. During this celebration we were very happy to join Mrs Nasreen Suran (school ancillary staff member) in celebrating her 25 years of committed service in Presentation Convent School Rislapur. Teachers prepared special drama for Mrs Nasreen honouring her services for the school and staff members. Along with this we also had two “Mehndees (Hina ceremony)” for two teachers who were going to get married in the first week of December.

First Communion: 6 December was a happy and exciting Sunday for Sisters, three schools and the parents, as the children received their First Holy Communion. Total of 32 children from Risalpur Convent, St Joseph’s and St Mary’s schools received Communion. For Rislapur Convent it was a little extra special as our workers, teachers and office staff children received Communion. Fr Tom was the main celebrant. It was a lovely occasion. After Mass all the children were invited to the Convent school for a tea party arranged in their honour.

Advent Prayer: Sisters arranged special prayers for the teachers and workers as we began the Advent season. All the Christian teachers and workers took part in it. Prayer was held in our Chapel.

Holy Thursday: Due to Covid-19 restrictions, after Holy Thursday Mass there was no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church. The Sisters arranged for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in their Chapel. Many school staff members along with their families came for the prayer and exposition. Together we prayed, reflected on the Word of God and sang hymns.

Friends of Nano: Friends of Nano are very active in Rislapur. They are members of the school teaching and office staff. The continue visiting and helping the families in need. They hold Rosary prayers with the families. During Advent and Lent season, they pray with different families in their own areas. They have regular meetings to plan their activities.

Youth Ministry: In Risalpur, the majority of Christian youth (Boys) either do not go to school or do not complete studies. Many of them are on drugs. In this situation, the Sisters thought of helping some of the youth financially in order to provide some skills for them. We have sent 8 young boys to learn Driving Skills. Some more young boys have been sent to learn Barbering Training Courses which hopefully will help them in their future life to support their families.

Presentation Sisters in Mother House, Rawalpindi are involved in various ministries. Mother House is also a Formation Community with a Novitiate attached to it.

Two schools are run by Presentation Sisters in Rawalpindi. Presentation Convent High School belongs to Presentation Sisters and Sr Rehana is the Principal of this school. St Teresa’s Girls High School belongs to the Diocese but run by Presentation Sisters. Sr Akhtar is the Principal of this school.

Sr Rehana writes about Rawalpindi Convent School as follows:

Online Classes : Due to Covid-19 pandemic, schools were closed for nearly 6 months. We the management, teachers, students and parents learnt the new methods of teaching and learning during this time as we started and continued online classes through WhatsApp and YouTube medium.

Celebrating 125 years of existence: 125 years of excellence in service means a lot in the history of any institution. St Anne’s Presentation Convent School, Rawalpindi is one of the most highly esteemed educational institutions that appeared on the horizon on Tuesday, 1 October 1895. The school has successfully completed its journey of 125 years.

8 September 2021 is a year when we celebrated the 125 th anniversary of the arrival of Sisters in Pakistan. I was wondering how we could celebrate this special anniversary in the middle of the pandemic. We contacted the parents and children and asked them if they were interested in the celebrations. A number of students came and took part in the celebrations.

The chain of celebrations started from 8 September with the display of banners on the outside walls of the school’s building. The banners hold the dignity and honour of the school. It is the day when three valiant Irish pioneers Mother Ignatius McDermot along with Sr Evangelist Coatsworth and Sr Xavier Lonergan, reached Punjab, Rawalpindi in 1895, carrying Nano’s Lantern and the Bible. When the three Sisters reached Rawalpindi, they had to face many difficulties; yet out of difficulties grew miracles and they were able to continue with their mission of imparting education, first to the British and Irish children of the soldiers and then to the locals. To salute these pioneers their graves were visited by the teachers, students, sisters, auxiliary staff, management and office staff. The graves were strewn with wreaths, flowers and candles were lit in their memory.

To mark the school’s foundation day, 1 October 2020, sweets were distributed among the students. At 11am the whole school and the parents stopped and prayed for the prosperity of the school and asked God for his guidance and blessings. A colorful get-together was arranged in the evening. The Bishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, His Excellency Dr Joseph Arshad, Unit Leader of Presentation Congregation, Sr Riffat Sadiq and Fr Anthon graced the occasion as guests of honour. The light and colours of fireworks made the evening vibrant with happiness all around. The ceremony was inaugurated with a cake cutting ceremony by the guests and the management. Every bit of that cake carried the blessings of love, happiness and success as ingredients which were shared among the guests and hosts. The jubilance of the evening continued when the digitally recorded program started playing on the screen. The footprints of Mother Ignatius along with Sr Xavier and Sr Evangelist, were shown and beautifully enacted by the students. How difficult was the time and situation under which they carried the dream of Nano with passion all the way from Ireland to Madras, Rawalpindi (now Pakistan).

To build a strong foundation, strong shoulders are needed on which we stand and reach the height of success. The students beautifully depicted the Galaxy of Principals who had put forward their untiring efforts to make this institution one of the most prestigious one.

Every one of us must have the courage to became a voice of voiceless, depressed, diseased and shunned out by the society. We here at Presentation Convent School Rawalpindi are educating our future generation to become a voice of such people.The dance performance of the students of class 4 and 5 showed the diversity of our culture.

The program ended with the speech from the Principal Sr Rehana Mehnga in which she remembered the past with gratitude, presently creating a school community characterized by mutual respect, tolerance, cooperation, excellence in education, professionalism and enlightening the lives of future generations. The speech ended with firm hope that we will continue our journey and endeavour like Nano Nagle to go “One Pace Beyond” what is expected and to continue to build bridges of friendship and respect for many years to come.

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls”. (anonymous)

The evening came to an end with the lavish dinner enjoyed by the gathering.

Training and workshops:

Leader in Me:

This year we have introduced a new subject to the students, called “Leader in Me”. We feel that every child has an ability to be a leader and we would like to give awareness to the children that all of them have ability to be a leader and how they come to know about their strength and weakness. At the end of March, we had training for the teachers for three days so that they were able to teach this subject. The training went very well. The highlight of the training was “Seven Habits of Highly Effected people” . It helped the teachers to know themselves and each other.

A two-day workshop was arranged for the teachers about “Creative Problem Solving” which was facilitated by Sr Shazia Lal. It helped the teachers to solve the problems creatively when working with students and parents. Sr Shazia gave a two-day workshop to the Principal and the Coordinators regarding “Change Management and Leadership”. What is change and why is change difficult? We felt that it was a suitable topic for us and it helped us to see where do we need change and why change is required?

We also had one day workshop with Fr Emmanuel Asi regarding the “Pre-history of the Bible and the Prophets of the Old Testament”. The Christian teachers attended the workshop.

During this pandemic time, I feel I was never idle. I had a lot of work to do in school and we kept on working with the help of coordinators and office staff. At the end I would thank God for blessing us with good health and life.

Sr Akhtar writes about St Teresa’s school as follows:

Situated in the heart of the city St Teresa’s Girls High School is committed to the vision of Nano Nagle and is promoting the value and dignity of every child. Every individual under our care is respected and nurtured by all.

Our mission statement is,

“We, at St Teresa’s Girls High School, are committed to the child centered education that is helpful in promoting physical, emotional, intellectual and moral development of an individual. We provide a friendly environment to our students and are dedicated to their protection and welfare”.

All the school policies are carried out under Nano’s universal mission effectively for the promotion of quality education.

For the effective planning and smooth execution of the school affairs, a team of coordinators for primary, middle and high section of the school respectively, facilitates the management.

The teaching and non-teaching staff of the school work together with a professional attitude to provide a learning environment to the students for their overall developments.

Workshops and seminars are organised during the year to teach syllabus effectively and creatively, which is helpful for the students in their practical life. Awareness regarding the Covid 19 and how to follow the Standard Operations Procedure (SOP) sessions were given by Dr Insha Ghazzi and Sr Akhtar.

Special attention is paid to the poor in our school. Those who really deserve are given fee concessions and attention is also given for their spiritual growth as well. The Christian students are also blessed with Holy Sacraments such as Holy Communion and Confirmation at different levels according to their age.

The students are given due attention to instil moral values to help make them better human beings in their practical lives. They are also taught to care for nature and keep their environment  neat and clean. They are also taught to respect and care for each other. “The child safeguarding policy” is adopted in the school to ensure protection of every child.

Sustainable Development Goals set by UNO, are carried out in the school. The cultural heritage of Pakistan is shared with a number of countries and the school also won a shield in this regard.

The school followed by SOPs set by the government and students and teachers followed. The daily attendance was reduced to 50% and students came to school on alternate days.

Sr Gulnaz Anwar is the Novice Mistress, and she writes about her ministry as follows: It is my great pleasure to share with you some life-giving ministry experiences of mine in the area of Formation as a Novice Mistress, especially during this time of Covid-19. We have accepted Covid-19 as a time of great difficulty for the world but also a time of blessing in so far as it has opened us to dialogue and conversations through zoom. Through zoom we were able to explore new learning and new positive experiences for the young and energetic women we are accompanying in the Novitiate.

The activities which have taken place are as follows.

Inter Unit Virtual Novitiate:

The formation of the Inter Unit Virtual Novitiate Program was launched on 11 February 2020 with the help of CLT. In this program novices from four countries are participating, Ireland, Africa, India, and Pakistan.

This new step, moving one step beyond, has really given a new insight to the novices into the area of ONENESS. The purpose of this program is to give the novices an understanding of the wider Congregation and to introduce to them the meaning of being in communion. Holding one vision of Nano Nagle with our unique diversity.

How to travel together in this life-giving emerging program? Several people have generously offered to give input to the novices on different topics. Judith King worked on appreciating and acknowledging with respect each other’s cultures, and the importance of diverse cultures. Sr Lisa Pires beautifully presented a  few sessions on prayer life.

Some of our Presentation Sisters give their service joyfully to our Formation ministry. Sr Anna Sheehy from Co. Limerick Ireland takes weekly classes with the Novices on different topics from the programme. The novices from Africa have also joined us for these classes. Sr Mary Coloe, a Presentation Sister from Melbourne in Australia is a very well-known Scripture scholar especially for her work on the Gospel of St John. She is Professor of Scripture at the University School of Divinity in Melbourne and has written many books and articles. Every Monday she is offering lessons on Scripture to our novices. The novices from Africa and India join us for these very interesting sessions.

Sr Christine in Mother House takes English classes four days a week here in the novitiate with our novices. She gives them wonderful help in public speaking, poetry, and proper pronunciation. Srs Roberta and Shahnaz have both undertaken to teach a section of the novitiate program assigned to them on a weekly basis. All of this has opened the novices to a wide variety of experience and learning for which we are very grateful.

Due to the Covid-19 situation our visitation to the poor families and school ministry work has been badly affected as we cannot go out among people. At the same time, we thank God for the other opportunities which we are availing of everyday by the grace of God.

CHRISTIAN STUDY CENTRE MINISTRY (CSC)

Sr Shazia Lal works in Ecumenical and Research centre, called Christian Study Centre in Rawalpindi. The main and foremost pillars of the Centre are ecumenism, interfaith and intra-faith harmony. By initiating dialogue among all faiths and even within the church the vision and mission of CSC, is accomplished through peace building.

I am responsible for a program “Developing Contextual Theology” which is implemented in the centre for the past number of years. My core responsibility is planning, organising, management and documentation of the program. Some of the components of the program are: Information Theology and Christian Formation (ITCF). This project is particularly designed and implemented only for Christian youth and students in formation. School of Theology (ST) is also one of the components where scholars come to the events and give talks on topics like Theology, interfaith harmony, peace building and on many of the societal issues. Through the discussions and talks a strategic way forward is prepared for our Christian community.

Al-Mushir which is a journal and is published four times a year by the centre is also part of my responsibility and job given to me. Along with that, organising seminars and conferences according to the vision and mission of CSC, is part the above-mentioned program.

Seminar in St Teresa's Girls High School

Students in St Teresa's Girls High School

Inter Unit Virtual Novitiate

Sr Teresita Abraham and Brigit are exploring the Spirituality of Being in Communion through a variety of ways.

St Teresa's Girls High School

Presentation Sisters in Peshawar are involved in different ministries. Our main ministries are in Education, Visitation, Vocations Promotion, Friends of Nano and Involvement in Church Activities.

C44: Our ministry enables each Sister to use her gifts appropriately and fruitfully for building up the body of Christ. Our Sisters have been using their full potential, gifts and resources for the mission and ministry of the Congregation.

We all know that Covid-19 has both positive and negative impacts on our lives, Covid-19 gave us a chance to build genuine relationships, to reflect on our mother earth, to pray and relax but despite all this positivity, it has affected our ministry.

Even though it was difficult to go out because of Covid-19 we still made an effort to visit people who were sick, old, disabled and depressed. Prayer is the main source of energy and healing, so we prayed and nourished them with the Word of God and gave them Holy Communion.

Some deaths happened in our parish. We attended funerals and shared in family suffering. We also attended some weddings and shared in the festivities.

Peshawar Community went to Kohat Parish for the Vocation Promotion Programme. We asked Fr William Rahat to invite us to the programme with the young girls and we joined them on this occasion. At the end of Holy Mass Fr William Rahat provided us with the chance to exchange our thoughts and ideas with the people. Afterwards we met the girls individually, took their contact numbers and are still in contact with them.

We had planned to go to different parishes to have more Vocation Programmes with the girls. Unfortunately, it could not happen this year, but we hope we will be able to achieve this aim in the coming year.

Teachers from Presentation Convent and St Michael’s Convent school have arranged Sunday School for kids on a regular basis. To strengthen the faith of the children they tell them different stories from the bible and teach them how to sit in the church. Sisters are also helping the teachers. They had also planned to visit the families, help needy ones, teach the students who are struggling in education but unfortunately at this time they could not do it.

Different groups work in the church so our Sisters also participate in the church activities. They get energy, enthusiasm and encouragement by working with them. As all the activities happened inside the church it was easy for them to get involved. Sisters also helped them on different occasions like Christmas and Easter.

As Pope Francis has declared this year “Year of St Joseph” Sr Sumble Rockus and Sr Zarish George helped the groups to prepare plays on the life of St Joseph. It helped the groups to understand the qualities and life of St Joseph.

Education is our main ministry. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected educational systems worldwide. Our school system was also affected, and our academic plans were not achieved successfully.

During Covid we went through some critical conditions on the educational side, such as.

Socially – Financially / Economically – Physically – Psychologically

Despite the challenges, we continued education through online classes.

Peshawar Community

Online classes

Presentation Sisters in Murree feel privileged to live in the beautiful Murree hills and to engage in the dialogue of life with both Muslims and Christians.

Both staff and students work together as one and we thank God and those who went before us for this. Christians form a small minority of both teachers and students. All are taught in an  atmosphere of love and respect. Both they and their Muslim friends aim at being “fully alive”.

This March all the teaching staff had a session on Child Safeguarding. It was conducted by the School’s Lay Principal, and three coordinators, with the help of two Sisters. It was encouraging and edifying to witness the participation of the teachers and to realise how aware they are of the abuses the children in Pakistan face.

There are about fifty Christian families of different denominations here. Every Sunday a priest comes for the celebration of Holy Mass. One of our Sisters prepares the readings and choir every second Sunday, while the Jesus and Mary Sisters take care of Sunday readings and choir every alternate Sundays. For large occasions, our singing teacher – a Muslim Shiah – loves  to play the keyboard.

Last October five pupils (four boys and one girl) from the Jesus and Mary Convent School and ten girls from our school received the Sacrament of Confirmation in the parish church during Sunday Mass. This was preceded by team work in preparing the students, preparing the church, choir etc. Our Bishop, Rev Joseph Arshad, spoke very encouragingly to the Congregation, those receiving the Sacrament and their parents.

Fr Jacob remained in Murree for all the Easter ceremonies and readings and singing were prepared by the Sisters from both convents. Prior to that, the Stations of the Cross were led by different families every Friday. They were helped and encouraged by our Sisters.

Community Leader teaching SDGs

Murree Community

SDG School Assembly

Sr Ghazala is working as a Principal and a local leader in Khipro. She writes: We have twenty schools in Khipro. These schools are situated in rural areas. Year 2020 was a year of surprises and a frightening time for us. All the schools were closed and we were not able to do the activities what we wanted to do with our people. Churches were closed. People mostly stayed at home. We had lots of rain in August 2020 in Khipro. These heavy rains brought floods. People’s houses were broken and flooded. Ten of our village schools were destroyed with these heavy rains. We are very grateful to our donors for all the help for our schools and for the people. We also got help from MNA Shazia Mari. She provided tents for the people who came on the roads because of the floods.

Even though the life seemed tough and fearful we still enjoyed life in the Community and with the people. We also celebrated Sr Farkhand’s renewal day.

We had no internet but still our teachers were teaching children in their houses.

Our children did plantation in main school and in the village schools. They brought plants from their houses in order to make their school beautiful. CBE from Hyderabad did workshops online with teachers. Teachers were very happy to have these workshops in order to make their teaching method effective.

Sr Clare and Teresa James did some programs about Corona Virus with women in different villages. They held health and hygiene sessions with the women. There is a need to be very careful about food – making sure of having sufficient nutrition for children especially but also for the whole family.

Tents for those affected by the floods

Celebrating Sr Farkhand's renewal day

Outdoor classes

Children planting at school

It is hard to find the words to express the deep gratitude, joy and peace that is in my heart for all the blessing and graces that we as a Community have received during the past year. I was assigned as a local leader of Josephabad Community and Principal in St Joseph’s Middle School in August 2020. There are two more young Sisters with me in the Community.

Sr Saima who is ready to make her final Vows and Sr Rebecca a junior Sister. We started our journey as the youngest Community in the Unit in August 2020. I was pleased to have very young and full of life members in the Community. During the last 9 months we laughed together, and we cried together, and we experienced the closeness of the Divine unconditionally through each other and through the people of Josephabad. I am delighted to share some of the experiences and activities that took place in Josephabad. Our very first and big task was to re arrange the house according to our own taste and comfort so three of us with the help of co-workers did this big job with great excitement. (see photos below).

Journey with the Lord is the only source that is helping us to live a life fully. We as a Community decided to continue the Rosary and Friends of Nano groups, and with the help of them prayed the Holy Rosary in the whole village. Three of us took an active part in all the celebrations of the church to strengthen our faith.

Another very enriching experience happened during lent. We had holy hour with the people, and we also prepared them for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To our surprise nearly the whole village was blessed to have this Sacrament. Through this experience, I personally experienced the mercy and the healing touch of the Lord.

Apart from praying with people we as a Community are very faithful to our own spiritual journey too. Every month we have a recollection and faith sharing day. Holy hours and Adorations for different intentions are also part of our daily life.

We as a Community faithfully continue to hold all the people whose names are written in our intention book, in our hearts and prayers.

It is the greatest blessing of God to have good health and energy to live a life which is full of joy, and God’s unconditional Love, which is sometimes hard and challenging too. And I have experienced this love of Divine presence in my Community.

To make this life easy and joyful for each other we give space to one another. We have regular Community meetings and sharing of our joys and challenges that we face in day-to-day living. We had been to different places to relieve the tension and stress of our work. It is amazing how Nature can take away all our worries and make us calm and peaceful and energize us to start life again. Watching T V, having walks and dining together is also an opportunity of spending quality time with each other.

We are blessed to have young Sisters and I am blessed to celebrate their lives. Sr Rebecca renewed her vows in August in the presence of Rev Fr Kashif Jamil our Parish Priest. Sr Saima renewed her Vows in January in the presence of Sr Riffat, our Unit Leader. Indeed, both celebrations gave life and hope to the Community.

For three of us our main ministry is in the school. Apart from school ministry we go out for visitation. It has been a privilege bringing Holy Eucharist to sick people which has brought us closer to Jesus.

On 12 November we started our Presentation Day Novena with teachers, students and with the Friends of Nano. It was a very enriching experience we had with the laity. Presentation Day was celebrated with the teachers and with the Friends of Nano as the school was closed due to Covid-19.

The month of December was full of celebrations. We celebrated Christmas with the old people. It was a wonderful experience to see the joy in old people who were neglected by their own. Special Mass was been offered for them which filled them with joy.

To continue to celebrate the Birth of Our Lord we had prayer services with our co-workers and Pastoral team too. Seeing every one excited filled us also with great hope.

To share the joy of Christ’s Birth we went to Rakh Rajhr, a very poor village for the Christmas program. The children prepared a lovely drama and tableau. Sr Saima with the help of Master Mukhtar prepared the program very well.

As I look back on the year 2020, I feel, that we the Sisters were very much aware of the needs of the people around us, and our resources were shared generously to help the poor and the needy. We bought warm clothes and shawls for the old people at Christmas.

This time of Covid-19 has helped us to live mindfully and become aware of the needs of the poor. So as Our Way of Life calls us to spend ourselves for the poor, we managed to help the needy families by giving them food items during Christmas time. This was just a way of letting people know that we are with them at this pandemic time.

We continue to thank God for His many blessings and ask for His help as we strive to serve Him and His people here in Josephabad.

Josephabad Community

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Sr Rebecca renewed her Vows

Sr Saima renewed her Vows

Josephabad Community and Sr Riffat (Unit Leader)

Children's drama in Rakh Raihr

Sr Saima and children in Rakh Raihr

Prayer service to celebrate the Birth of Our Lord

In Jhelum the main ministry of our Sisters is in school and education. Sisters are also involved in pastoral work by going for visitation of the Christian families. They also arrange Youth and Vocation Programmes for the young women.

The Presentation Sisters are committed to following the vision of Nano Nagle by promoting the dignity and worth of each  and every child where every child will be respected and nurtured by all.

The school consists of two campuses ie Girls’ Campus from Prep to Metric and Boys’ Campus from Prep to class 5. From 2017 till January 2021 the school was run by the Manageress, Sister Teresa Baily along with the lay principal, Mrs Noreen Shafique. Currently, Sr Bina Yousaf is the Principal of the school.

The teaching and non-teaching staff work collaboratively following the “Employment Rules and Regulations” with professional attitude, which provides a safe and clean learning environment, to the students for the overall development of their personalities. The in-service training workshops and seminars are organised frequently during the year which helps to enable the teachers not only to teach the syllabus effectively and creatively but also to inculcate moral values in students so that they can become confident and capable citizens in their practical lives.

Following in Nano Nagle’s footsteps, special attention is paid to the poor in our school. The majority of them are on concession in their tuition fee and many of them are being taught free of cost as well. Those who belong to illiterate and poor family backgrounds are given individual attention academically, enabling them to benefit from the quality education. Special attention is also paid for their spiritual growth.

Holy Masses and religious sessions are arranged on and off during the year to foster their individual faith in Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian students are also blessed with Holy Sacraments such as Confession, Holy Communion, Confirmation etc at different levels according to their appropriate ages.

The “Presentation Sisters” are also contributing a lot in collaboration with the UNO to attain the selected Sustainable Development Goals out of 17 which are; Goal 1: No Poverty, Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 4 Quality Education, Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

The Staff and students are made aware of the significance of these selected goals through workshops and discussion sessions. The students are encouraged to work for these SDG’s through the morning assemblies, tableaus, role plays, speeches, songs etc. frequently throughout the year.

Students preparing for Holy Sacraments

Students are working for SDG’s

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The Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a registered Charity. Charity Registered Number: 20002190

PCS Rawalpindi

“LIFE IS ABOUT THE JOURNEY, NOT THE DESTINATION”

Today, October 1st we commemorate the 125th anniversary of the opening of our school in 1895. It was a humble beginning with three sisters and just three pupils. This amazing story continues today and there are many more chapters still to be written. The three sisters bore the names of three heroes of faith (Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier and the Evangelists, writers of the Gospel): Mother Ignatius Mc Dermott, Mother Xavier Lonergan and Mother Evangelist Coatsworth. Today we remember the past with gratitude, we celebrate the present, and we look ahead to the future with hope.

Gratitude for the past calls us to acknowledge God’s faithfulness to us over the past 125 years. “I have carried you on eagles’ wings. I will care for you in all your years” (Exodus 19:4). The story of 125 years has been one of struggles, of suffering, of courage and risk taking, of taking down the lantern and going out to “where need called most loudly.” God has walked the journey with us, and we are filled with confidence, knowing that God will continue to walk with us in the years ahead.

The  Presentation Sisters  were founded by  Nano Nagle , a young Irish woman, who felt called by God to reach out in faith, love and compassion to the poor and the needy children of eighteenth century Ireland. Nano and her companions struggled in their schools for several years and through them brought the light of knowledge to many. Convinced of the importance of education for the development of people, Nano Nagle started the Presentation Congregation in 1775. From small beginnings in Cork City, the Congregation spread to many cities and towns in Ireland and from there to several parts of the world.

The Sisters came to the sub-continent in 1842 and to  Rawalpindi on 8 th  September 1895 . The pioneer Nuns who came to  Lalkurti,Rawalpindi , were Mother Ignatius Mc Dermott, Sr. Evangelist Coatsworth and Sr. Xavier Lonergan. They brought Nano Nagle’s Holy Bible with them. The school started off with three pupils and three sisters. In the beginning the sisters taught the children of the army personnel, British, Irish and Anglo- Indian. The school was registered as a European Type School and had a European Code of Rules. The overwhelming majority of people living around them were Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. The Muslims at that time looked on education through English with suspicion. The Hindus and Sikhs kept pressing to get their children into the Convent School and avail of European education. Mother Ignatius was the first Headmistress of the school. On 15 th  February 1896 the school was placed on the list of recognized schools.

About: Presentation Convent High School, Sargodha

Presentation Convent High School, Sargodha, Pakistan, was founded by the Presentation Sisters and is regulated by the Catholic Board of Education under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi.

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Home » Europe » Moscow

EPIC MOSCOW Itinerary! (2024)

Moscow is the heart of Mother Russia. Just the mention of this city conjures images of colorful bulbous pointed domes, crisp temperatures, and a uniquely original spirit!

Moscow has an incredibly turbulent history, a seemingly resilient culture, and a unique enchantment that pulls countless tourists to the city each year! Although the warmer months make exploring Moscow’s attractions more favorable, there’s just something about a fresh snowfall that only enhances the appearance of the city’s iconic sites!

If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or simply wanting to see as much of the city as possible, this Moscow itinerary will help you do just that!

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Best Time To Visit Moscow

Where to stay in moscow, moscow itinerary, day 1 itinerary in moscow, day 2 itinerary in moscow, day 3 and beyond, staying safe in moscow, day trips from moscow, faq on moscow itinerary.

Here is a quick look at the seasons so you can decide when to visit Moscow!

The summer months (June-August) are a great time to travel to Moscow to take advantage of the enjoyable mild temperatures. This is considered peak travel season. Bear in mind that hotel prices rise along with the temperatures!

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow during fall (September-November) try to plan for early fall. This way the temperatures will still be pleasant and winter won’t be threatening.

Russian winters (December-February) are not for the faint of heart as Napoleon learned to his peril. Some days the sun will be out for less than an hour, and snow is guaranteed. Although winters are exceptionally cold, this is when you’ll get a true glimpse of the Moscow experience!

The best time to visit Moscow is during spring  (March-May). The temperatures will begin to creep up and the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day. Hotel rates will also have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges!

With a Moscow City Pass , you can experience the best of Moscow at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Moscow is a large city with many accommodation options to choose from. Staying in a location that fits with your travel plans will only enhance your Moscow itinerary. Here is a brief introduction to a few great areas of the city we recommend checking out!

The best place to stay in Moscow to be close to all the action is Kitay-Gorod. This charming neighborhood will put you within walking distance to Moscow’s famous Red Square, thus cutting down on travel time. This will allow you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time!

It’s surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. If you’re a first-time visitor to Moscow, or just planning a quick weekend in Moscow, then this area is perfect for you!

Another great area to consider is the Zamoskvorechye district. This area of the city offers a blend of new and old Moscow. It has an artsy vibe and there are plenty of fun sites you can explore outside of the main touristy areas of Moscow.

Of course, as in all areas of Moscow, it’s close to public transportation that will quickly connect you with the rest of the city and make your Moscow itinerary super accessible!

Best Airbnb in Moscow – Exclusive Apartment in Old Moscow

Modern and cozy, this apartment is in the heart of Old Moscow. Bordering the Basmanny and Kitay-Gorod districts, this two-bedroom flat is walking distance to the Kremlin and Red Square. Safe, quiet, and comfortable, this is the best Airbnb in Moscow, no question!

Best Budget Hotel in Moscow – Izmailovo Alfa Hotel

The Izmailovo Alfa Hotel is a very highly rated accommodation that provides all the components necessary for a comfortable trip to Moscow. There is an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, and an airport shuttle service. The rooms are modern and spacious and are equipped with a TV, heating/air conditioning, minibar, and more!

Best Luxury Hotel in Moscow – Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre

If you’re touring Moscow in luxury, the Crowne Plaza Moscow World Trade Centre is the hotel for you! Elegantly furnished rooms are equipped with a minibar, flat-screen TV,  in-room safes, as well as tea and coffee making facilities! Bathrooms come with bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries. There is also an onsite restaurant, bar, and fitness center.

Best Hostel in Moscow – Godzillas Hostel

Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station. Guests will enjoy all the usual hostel perks such as self-catering facilities, 24-hour reception, Free Wi-Fi, and security lockers. This is one of the best hostels in Moscow and its wonderful social atmosphere and will make your vacation in Moscow extra special!

Godzillas Hostel is one of our favourites in Moscow but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

An important aspect of planning any trip is figuring out the transportation situation. You’re probably wondering how you’re going to get to all of your Moscow points of interest right? Luckily, this sprawling city has an excellent network of public transportation that will make traveling a breeze!

The underground metro system is the quickest and most efficient way to travel around Moscow. Most visitors rely exclusively on this super-efficient transportation system, which allows you to get to pretty much anywhere in the city! It’s also a great option if you’re planning a Moscow itinerary during the colder months, as you’ll be sheltered from the snow and freezing temperatures!

If you prefer above-ground transportation, buses, trams, and trolleybuses, run throughout the city and provide a rather comfortable alternative to the metro.

Moscow’s metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses are all accessible with a ‘Troika’ card. This card can be topped up with any sum of money at a metro cash desk. The ticket is simple, convenient, and even refundable upon return to a cashier!

No matter which method you choose, you’ll never find yourself without an easy means of getting from point A to point B!

Red Square | Moscow Kremlin | Lenin’s Mausoleum | St. Basil’s Cathedral  | GUM Department Store

Spend the first day of your itinerary taking your own self guided Moscow walking tour around the historic Red Square! This is Moscow’s compact city center and every stop on this list is within easy walking distance to the next! Get ready to see all of the top Moscow landmarks!

Day 1 / Stop 1 – The Red Square

• Why it’s awesome: The Red Square is the most recognizable area in Moscow, it has mesmerizing architecture and centuries worth of history attached to its name.
• Cost: Free to walk around, individual attractions in the square have separate fees. 
• Food nearby: Check out Bar BQ Cafe for friendly service and good food in a great location! The atmosphere is upbeat and they’re open 24/7!

The Red Square is Moscow’s historic fortress and the center of the Russian government. The origins of the square date back to the late 15th century, when Ivan the Great decided to expand the Kremlin to reflect Moscow’s growing power and prestige!

During the 20th century, the square became famous as the site for demonstrations designed to showcase Soviet strength. Visiting the Red Square today, you’ll find it teeming with tourists, who come to witness its magical architecture up close!

The square is the picture postcard of Russian tourism, so make sure to bring your camera when you visit! No matter the season, or the time of day, it’s delightfully photogenic! 

It’s also home to some of Russia’s most distinguishing and important landmarks, which we’ve made sure to include further down in this itinerary. It’s an important center of Russia’s cultural life and one of the top places to visit in Moscow!

In 1990, UNESCO designated Russia’s Red Square as a World Heritage site. Visiting this historic site is a true bucket-list event and essential addition to your itinerary for Moscow!

Day 1 / Stop 2 – The Moscow Kremlin

• Why it’s awesome: The Moscow Kremlin complex includes several palaces and cathedrals and is surrounded by the Kremlin wall. It also houses the principal museum of Russia (the Kremlin Armory).
• Cost: USD $15.00
• Food nearby: Bosco Cafe is a charming place to grat a casual bite to eat. They have excellent coffee and wonderful views of the Red Square and the Moscow Kremlin!

The iconic Moscow Kremlin , also known as the Kremlin museum complex, sits on Borovitsky Hill, rising above the Moscow River. It is a fortified complex in the center of the city, overlooking several iconic buildings in the Red Square!

It’s the best known of the Russian Kremlins – citadels or fortress’ protecting and dominating a city. During the early decades of the Soviet era, the Kremlin was a private enclave where the state’s governing elite lived and worked.

The Kremlin is outlined by an irregularly shaped triangular wall that encloses an area of 68 acres! The existing walls and towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Inside the Kremlin museum complex, there are five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers.

The Armoury Chamber is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1851. It showcases Russian history and displays many cherished relics. Definitely make sure to check out this museum while you’re here!

The churches inside the Moscow Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki (a church tower).

The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition is considered the most famous. It was built from 1475–1479 by an Italian architect and has served as a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars, and emperors of Russia. Church services are given in the Kremlin’s numerous cathedrals on a regular basis.

The Grand Kremlin Palace was the former Tsar’s Moscow residence and today it serves as the official workplace of the President of the Russian Federation (Vladimir Putin seems to have bagged that title for life) .

Insider Tip: The Kremlin is closed every Thursday! Make sure to plan this stop on your Moscow itinerary for any other day of the week!

Day 1 / Stop 3 – Lenin’s Mausoleum

• Why it’s awesome: The mausoleum displays the preserved body of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin .
• Cost: Free!
• Food nearby: Khinkal’naya is a charming Georgian restaurant with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick. It’s a popular place with locals and right next to the Red Square!

Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, is the modernist mausoleum for the revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. It’s located within the Red Square and serves as the resting place for the Soviet leader! His preserved body has been on public display since shortly after his death in 1924.

It’s located just a few steps away from the Kremlin Wall and is one of the most controversial yet popular Moscow attractions!

Admission is free for everyone, you’ll only need to pay if you need to check a bag. Before visitors are allowed to enter the mausoleum, they have to go through a metal detector first. No metal objects, liquids, or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum!

Expect a line to enter the building, and while you’re inside the building, you’ll be constantly moving in line with other visitors. This means you won’t be able to spend as long as you’d like viewing the mausoleum, but you’ll still be able to get a good look. Pictures and filming while inside the building are strictly prohibited, and security guards will stop you if they see you breaking this rule.

The mausoleum is only open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday – unless it’s a public holiday or a day scheduled for maintenance. The hours it’s open for each day are limited, make sure to check online before you visit to make sure you can fit this into your Moscow itinerary for that day!

Insider Tip: The Lenin’s Museum is there for people to pay their respect; remember to keep silent and move along quickly, it’s not intended for people to congregate around. Also, men are not allowed to wear hats and everyone must take their hands out of their pockets when inside the building.

Day 1 / Stop 4 – St. Basil’s Cathedral

• Why it’s awesome: A dazzling designed cathedral that showcases Russia’s unique architecture. This cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of the country!
• Cost: USD $8.00
• Food nearby: Moskovskiy Chaynyy Klub is a cozy cafe serving food items and pipping hot tea; it’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting Moscow during the winter months!

Located in the Red Square, the ornate 16th-century St. Basil’s Cathedral is probably the building you picture when you think of Moscow’s unique architecture. Its colorful onion-shaped domes tower over the Moscow skyline!

The cathedral was built from 1555-1561 by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was designed with an iconic onion dome facade and enchanting colors that captivate all who see it. Fun fact: If you’re wondering why Russian churches have onion domes, they are popularly believed to symbolize burning candles!

This iconic cathedral has become a symbol of Russia due to its distinguishing architecture and prominent position inside the Red Square. It’s one of the most beautiful, wonderful, and mesmerizing historical cathedrals in the world!

The interior of the church surprises most people when they visit. In contrast to the large exterior, the inside is not so much one large area, but rather a collection of smaller areas, with many corridors and small rooms. There are 9 small chapels and one mausoleum grouped around a central tower.

Visiting the inside is like walking through a maze, there are even small signs all around the cathedral tracing where to walk, and pointing you in the right direction! The walls are meticulously decorated and painted with intricate floral designs and religious themes.

The church rarely holds service and is instead a museum open for the public to visit.

Insider Tip: During the summer months the line to go inside the cathedral can get quite long! Make sure to arrive early or reserve your tickets online to guarantee quick access into the cathedral!

Day 1 / Stop 5 – GUM Department Store

• Why it’s awesome: This is Russia’s most famous shopping mall! It’s designed with elegant and opulent architecture and provides a real sense of nostalgia!
• Cost: Free to enter
• Food nearby: Stolovaya 57 is a cafeteria-style restaurant with a variety of inexpensive Russian cuisine menu items including soups, salads, meat dishes, and desserts. It’s also located inside the GUM department store, making it very easily accessible when you’re shopping!

The enormous GUM Department Store is located within the historic Red Square. It has a whimsical enchantment to it that sets it apart from your typical department store.

A massive domed glass ceiling lines the top of the building and fills the interior with natural sunlight. There are live plants and flowers placed throughout the mall that give the shopping complex a lively and cheerful feel! A playful fountain sits in the center, further adding to the malls inviting a sense of wonder and amusement!

The GUM department store opened on December 2, 1893. Today, it includes local and luxury stores, including Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and many more! There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and even a movie theater inside!

For a special treat, head into Gastronom 1. This 1950s-style shop sells gourmet food items, like wine, freshly-baked pastries, cheese, Russian chocolate, and of course, vodka! Also, be on the lookout for a bicycle pedaling ice cream truck with an employing selling ice cream!

The ambiance is simply amazing, a trip to this idyllic shopping mall is an absolute must on any Moscow itinerary!

Insider Tip: Make sure to carry some small change on you in case you need to use the restroom, you’ll need to pay 50 rubles – or about USD $0.80 to use the bathroom in GUM.

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Novodevichy Convent | Gorky Park | State Tretyakov Gallery | All-Russian Exhibition Center | Bolshoi Theater

On your 2 day itinerary in Moscow, you’ll have a chance to use the city’s excellent public transportation service! You’ll explore a few more of Moscow’s historic highlight as well as some modern attractions. These sites are a little more spread out, but still very easily accessible thanks to the metro!

Day 2 / Stop 1 – Novodevichy Convent

• Why it’s awesome: The Novodevichy Convent is rich in imperial Russian history and contains some of Russia’s best examples of classical architecture!
• Cost: USD $5.00
• Food nearby: Culinary Shop Karavaevs Brothers is a cozy and simple place to have a quick bite, they also have vegetarian options!

The Novodevichy Convent is the best-known and most popular cloister of Moscow. The convent complex is contained within high walls, and there are many attractions this site is known for! 

The six-pillared five-domed Smolensk Cathedral is the main attraction. It was built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral and its facade boasts beautiful snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. It’s the oldest structure in the convent, built from 1524 -1525, and is situated in the center of the complex between the two entrance gates.

There are other churches inside the convent as well, all dating back from many centuries past. The convent is filled with an abundance of 16th and 17th-century religious artworks, including numerous large and extravagant frescos!

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here, you can visit the graves of famous Russians, including esteemed authors, composers, and politicians. Probably the most intriguing gravestone belongs to Russian politician Nikita Khruschev!

The Novodevichy Convent is located near the Moscow River and offers a peaceful retreat from the busy city. In 2004, it was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The convent remains remarkably well-preserved and is an outstanding example of Moscow Baroque architecture! 

Insider Tip: To enter the cathedrals inside the complex, women are advised to cover their heads and shoulders, while men should wear long pants.

Day 2 / Stop 2 – Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

• Why it’s awesome: A large amusement area in the heart of the city offering many attractions!
• Cost: Free! 
• Food nearby: Check out Mepkato, located inside Gorky Central Park for a casual meal in a cozy setting. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the restaurant is child-friendly!

Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure is a large green space in the heart of Moscow. The park opened in 1928, and it stretches along the scenic embankment of the Moskva River. It covers an area of 300-acres and offers a lovely contrast from the compact city center.

You’ll find all sorts of wonderful attractions, from boat rides to bike rentals to tennis courts and ping-pong tables, and much more! there are an open-air cinema and festive events and concerts scheduled in the summer months.  A wide selection of free fitness classes is also offered on a regular basis, including jogging, roller skating, and dancing!

Although many of the options you’ll find here are more suited for outdoor leisure during the summer, you’ll also a selection of winter attractions, including one of Europe’s largest ice rinks for ice-skating!

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Moscow with kids, the park also offers several venues designed specifically for kids. Check out the year-round Green School which offers hands-on classes in gardening and art! You can also feed the squirrels and birds at the Golitsinsky Ponds!

The park is very well maintained and kept clean and the entrance is free of charge, although most individual attractions cost money. There is also Wi-Fi available throughout the park.

With so many attractions, you could easily spend all day here! If you’re only planning a 2 day itinerary in Moscow, make sure to plan your time accordingly and map out all the areas you want to see beforehand!

Day 2 / Stop 3 – The State Tretyakov Gallery

• Why it’s awesome: The gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art made by Russian artists!
• Food nearby : Brothers Tretyakovs is located right across the street from the gallery. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant serving top quality food and drinks!

The State Tretyakov Gallery was founded in 1856 by influential merchant and collector Pavel Tretyakov.  The gallery is a national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the most important museums in Russia!

It houses the world’s best collection of Russian art and contains more than 130, 000 paintings, sculptures, and graphics! These works have been created throughout the centuries by generations of Russia’s most talented artists!

The exhibits range from mysterious 12th-century images to politically charged canvases. The collection is rich and revealing and offers great insight into the history and attitudes of this long-suffering yet inspired people!

All pictures are also labeled in English. If you plan to take your time and see everything inside the museum it will take a good 3-4 hours, so make sure to plan your Moscow trip itinerary accordingly! This gallery is a must-see stop for art lovers, or anyone wanting to explore the local culture and history of Russia in a creative and insightful manner! 

Insider Tip: When planning your 2 days in Moscow itinerary, keep in mind that most museums in Moscow are closed on Mondays, this includes The State Tretyakov Gallery!

Day 2 / Stop 4 – All-Russian Exhibition Center

• Why it’s awesome: This large exhibition center showcases the achievements of the Soviet Union in several different spheres. 
• Food nearby: Varenichnaya No. 1 serves authentic and homestyle Russian cuisine in an intimate and casual setting.

The All-Russian Exhibition Center is a massive park that presents the glory of the Soviet era! It pays homage to the achievements of Soviet Russia with its many different sites found on the property.

The center was officially opened in 1939 to exhibit the achievements of the Soviet Union. It’s a huge complex of buildings and the largest exhibition center in Moscow. There are several exhibition halls dedicated to different achievements and every year there are more than one hundred and fifty specialized exhibitions!

The Peoples Friendship Fountain was constructed in 1954 and is a highlight of the park. The stunning gold fountain features 16 gilded statues of girls, each representing the former Soviet Union republics. 

The Stone Flower Fountain was also built in 1954 and is worth checking out. The centerpiece of this large fountain is a flower carved from stones from the Ural Mountains! Along the side of the fountain are various bronze sculptures.

You will find many people zipping around on rollerblades and bicycles across the large area that the venue covers. It’s also home to amusement rides and carousels, making it the perfect place to stop with kids on your Moscow itinerary! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and allow a few hours to explore all the areas that interest you!

Day 2 / Stop 5 – Bolshoi Theater

• Why it’s awesome: The Bolshoi Theater is a historic venue that hosts world-class ballet and opera performances!
• Cost: Prices vary largely between USD $2.00 –  USD $228.00 based on seat location.
• Food nearby: Head to the Russian restaurant, Bolshoi for high-quality food and drinks and excellent service!

The Bolshoi Theater is among the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world! It also boasts the world’s biggest ballet company, with more than 200 dancers!

The theater has been rebuilt and renovated several times during its long history. In 2011 it finished its most recent renovation after an extensive six-year restoration that started in 2005. The renovation included an improvement in acoustics and the restoration of the original Imperial decor.

The Bolshoi Theater has put on many of the world’s most famous ballet acts! Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered at the theater in 1877 and other notable performances of the Bolshoi repertoire include Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker!

Today, when you visit the theater, you can expect a magical performance from skilled singers, dancers, and musicians with the highest level of technique!

If you don’t have time to see a show, the theater also provides guided tours on select days of the week. Tours are given in both Russian and English and will provide visitors with a more intimate look at the different areas of the theater!

The stage of this iconic Russian theater has seen many outstanding performances. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, the Bolshoi Theater is one of the greatest and oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, making it a must-see attraction on your Moscow itinerary!

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Godzillas Hostel is located in the center of Moscow, just a short walk from all the major tourist attractions and the metro station.

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Cosmonautics Museum | Alexander Garden | Ostankino Tower | Izmaylovo District | Soviet Arcade Museum

Now that we’ve covered what to do in Moscow in 2 days, if you’re able to spend more time in the city you’re going to need more attractions to fill your time. Here are a few more really cool things to do in Moscow we recommend!

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

• Hear the timeline of the ‘space race’ from the Russian perspective
• This museum is fun for both adults and children!
• Admission is USD $4.00

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to space exploration! The museum explores the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration, space technology, and space in the arts. It houses a large assortment of Soviet and Russian space-related exhibits, and the museum’s collection holds approximately 85,000 different items!

The museum does an excellent job of telling the full story of the exciting space race between the USSR and the US! It highlights the brightest moments in Russian history and humanity and is very interesting and fun for all ages!

If you’re a fan of space or just curious about gaining insight into Russia’s fascinating history of space exploration, make sure to add this to your 3 day itinerary in Moscow!

The Alexander Garden

• A tranquil place to relax near the Red Square
• Green lawns dotted with sculptures and lovely water features
• The park is open every day and has no entrance fee

The Alexander Garden was one of the first urban public parks in Moscow! The garden premiered in 1821 and was built to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s forces in 1812!

The park is beautiful and well maintained with paths to walk on and benches to rest on. The park contains three separate gardens: the upper garden, middle garden, and lower garden.

Located in the upper garden, towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. This monument was created in 1967 and contains the body of a soldier who fell during the Great Patriotic War!

The park stretches along all the length of the western Kremlin wall for about half a mile. Due to its central location in the city, it’ll be easily accessible when you’re out exploring The Red Square.

It provides a bit of relief from the city’s high-energy city streets. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a walk, or just sit and people watch, this is one of the best Moscow sites to wind-down and relax!

Ostankino Television Tower

• Television and radio tower in Moscow
• Currently the tallest free-standing structure in Europe
• Make sure you bring your passport when you visit, you can’t go up without it!

For spectacular views of the city, make sure to add the Ostankino Television Tower to your itinerary for Moscow! This impressive free-standing structure provides stunning views of the city in every direction. The glass floor at the top also provides great alternative views of the city!

It takes just 58 seconds for visitors to reach the Tower’s observation deck by super fast elevator. The tower is open every day for long hours and is a great site in Moscow to check out! There is even a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy rotating views of the city while you dine on traditional Russian cuisine or European cuisine!

The tower is somewhat of an architectural surprise in a city that is not known for skyscrapers! To see the city from a new perspective, make sure to add this stop to your Moscow itinerary!

Izmaylovo District

• The most popular attractions in this district are the kremlin and the flea market
• Outside of the city center and easy to reach via metro
• Most popular during the summer and on weekends

Travel outside the city center and discover a unique area of the city! The Izmaylovo District is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, and one of the coolest places to see in Moscow! The two main attractions we recommend checking out are the Kremlin and the flea market.

The Izmailovo Kremlin was established as a cultural center and molded after traditional Russian architecture. This colorful complex is home to several single-subject museums, including a Russian folk art museum and a vodka museum!

Next to the Kremlin is the Izmailovo open-air market, which dates back to the 17th century! The market is connected to the Izmailovo Kremlin by a wooden bridge. Pick up all your Russian souvenirs here, including traditional handicrafts, paintings, books, retro toys, and Soviet memorabilia!

You will find many hand-made and hand-painted options available at higher prices, as well as mass-produced souvenir options at lower prices!

Museum of Soviet Arcade Games

• Closed on Mondays
• Filled with old arcade games that visitors get to try out!
• The museum also includes a small cafe and burger shop

For something a little different, check out the Museum of Soviet Arcade Games! The museum features roughly 60 machines from the Soviet era, including video games, pinball machines, and collaborative hockey foosball! The machines inside the museum were produced in the USSR in the mid-1970s.

The best part is, most of the games are still playable! Purchase tickets and try the games out for yourself! The museum also has a neat little screening room that plays old Soviet cartoons and an area with Soviet magazines! This unique attraction is a fun addition to a 3 day itinerary in Moscow, and an attraction that all ages will enjoy! 

Whether you’re spending one day in Moscow, or more, safety is an important thing to keep in mind when traveling to a big city! Overall, Moscow is a very safe place to visit. However, it is always recommended that tourists take certain precautions when traveling to a new destination!

The police in Moscow is extremely effective at making the city a safe place to visit and do their best to patrol all of the top Moscow, Russia tourist attractions. However, tourists can still be a target for pickpockets and scammers.

Moscow has a huge flow of tourists, therefore there is a risk for pickpocketing. Simple precautions will help eliminate your chances of being robbed. Stay vigilant, keep your items close to you at all times, and don’t flash your valuables!

If you’re planning a solo Moscow itinerary, you should have no need to worry, as the city is also considered safe for solo travelers, even women. Stay in the populated areas, try and not travel alone late at night, and never accept rides from strangers or taxis without a meter and correct signage.

The threat of natural disasters in Moscow is low, with the exception of severe winters when the temperature can dip below freezing! Bring a good, warm jacket if you visit in Winter.

However, please note that Russian views on homsexuality are far less accepting than those in Western Europe. Likewise, Non-Caucasian travellers may sadly encounter racism in Russia .

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Now that we’ve covered all the top things to see in Moscow, we thought we’d include some exciting day trips to other areas of the country!

Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring)

On this 7-hour guided tour, you’ll visit several scenic and historic areas of Russia. Start your day with hotel pick-up as you’re transferred by a comfortable car or minivan to Sergiev Posad. Admire the charming Russian countryside on your drive and enjoy a quick stop to visit the Russian village, Rudonezh!

You’ll see the majestic Saint Spring and the Church of Sergiev Radonezh. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the most famous Orthodox sites in Russia!

Lastly, you’ll swing by the local Matreshka market and enjoy a break in a nice Russian restaurant before returning to Moscow!

Day Trip to Vladimir and Suzdal

On this 13-hour trip, you’ll discover old Russia, with its picturesque landscapes and white-stoned beautiful churches! You’ll visit the main towns of the famous Golden Ring of Russia – the name for several cities and smaller towns north-east of Moscow.

Your first stop will be in the town of Vladimir, the ancient capital of all Russian principalities. The city dates back to the 11th century and is one of the oldest and the most important towns along the Ring! Next, you’ll visit Suzdal, a calm ancient Russian town north of Vladimir with only 13,000 inhabitants!

The old-style architecture and buildings of Suzdal are kept wonderfully intact. If you’re spending three days in Moscow, or more, this is a great option for exploring the charming areas outside the city!

Zvenigorod Day Trip and Russian Countryside

On this 9-hour private tour, you’ll explore the ancient town of Zvenigorod, one of the oldest towns in the Moscow region! As you leave Moscow you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery along the Moscow River, and make a few stops at old churches along the way to Zvenigorod.

Upon arrival, you’ll explore the medieval center, including the 14th-century Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Next, you’ll take a break for lunch (own expense) where you’ll have the chance to try out the Russian cuisine! Next, you’ll visit the Museum of Russian Dessert and sip on tea at a Russian tea ceremony.

The final stop of the day is at the Ershovo Estate, a gorgeous place to walk around and enjoy nature!

Day Trip to St Petersburg by Train visiting Hermitage & Faberge

On this full-day tour, you’ll enjoy a a full round trip to St Petersburg where you’ll spend an exciting day exploring another popular Russian city! You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Moscow and be transferred to the train station where you’ll ride the high-speed train ‘Sapsan’ to St Petersburg.

Upon arrival, you’ll start the day by touring the Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace. Next, you’ll visit the Faberge Museum, where you’ll explore the impressive collection of rare Faberge Eggs! In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing boat ride and a traditional 3-course Russian lunch.

If you’re spending 3 days in Moscow, or more, this is an excellent trip to take!

Trip to Kolomna – Authentic Cultural Experience from Moscow

On this 10-hour tour, you’ll escape the city and travel to the historic town of Kolomna! First, you’ll visit the 14th-century Kolomna Kremlin, home to the Assumption Cathedral and an abundance of museums!

Next, enjoy lunch at a local cafe (own expense) before embarking on a tour of the Marshmallow Museum – of course, a marshmallow tasting is provided!  Your final stop is the Museum of Forging Settlements, where displays include armor and accessories for fishing and hunting.

Discover this beautiful Russian fairytale city on a private trip, where all of the planning is taken care of for you!

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Find out what people want to know when planning their Moscow itinerary.

How many days you need in Moscow?

We recommend that you spend at least two or three days in Moscow to take it all in.

What’s the best month to visit Moscow?

The best time to visit Moscow is over the spring, from March to May as temperatures are mild, crowds are thin and prices are reasonable.

What are some unusual things to do in Moscow?

I mean, queuing up to see an almost 100 year old corpse is pretty unsual! Check out Lenin’s Mausoleum if you fancy it!

What are some fun things to do in Moscow?

The Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is a fun place to explore the famous space race from the perspective of the ‘other side’!

We hope you enjoyed our Moscow itinerary! We’ve made sure to cover all the Moscow must-sees as well as some unique attractions in the city! Our addition of insider tips, favorite food stops, and day trips from Moscow is an added bonus and will guarantee you make the most out of your exciting Russian vacation!

Immerse yourself in the modern and traditional Russian lifestyle! Get lost in museums, witness awe-inspiring architecture, and indulge in Russian cuisine! Spend the day strolling through all of the charming sites of Moscow, admiring the beautiful scenery and discovering the city’s fairytale-like enchantment!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alya and Campbell

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Moscow concert hall attack: Why is ISIL targeting Russia?

Deadly attack in Moscow claimed by ISIL affiliate leaves more than 133 people dead and approximately 100 injured.

More than 133 people have been killed and more than 100 others were injured following a brazen attack on concertgoers at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall before a performance by a Soviet-era rock band on Friday.

Assailants dressed in camouflage uniforms opened fire and reportedly threw explosive devices inside the concert venue, which was left in flames with its roof collapsing after the deadly attack.

Keep reading

At least 115 killed, more than 185 injured in attack on moscow concert hall, more than 130 killed in moscow concert hall attack, ‘heinous, cowardly’: world reacts to attack on moscow concert hall, moscow concert hall attack: what do we know so far.

Eleven people had been detained, including four people directly involved in the armed assault, Russia’s Interfax news agency reported on Saturday.

ISIL’s Afghan branch – also known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K) – has claimed responsibility for the attack and United States officials have confirmed the authenticity of that claim, according to the Reuters news agency.

Here is what we know about the group and their possible motive for the Moscow attack.

ISIL’s Afghanistan branch

The group remains one of the most active affiliates of ISIL and takes its title from an ancient caliphate in the region that once encompassed areas of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Turkmenistan.

The group emerged from eastern Afghanistan in late 2014 and was made up of breakaway fighters of the Pakistan Taliban and local fighters who pledged allegiance to the late ISIL leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi .

The group has since established a fearsome reputation for acts of brutality.

Murat Aslan, a military analyst and former Turkish army colonel, said ISIL’s Afghanistan affiliate is known for its “radical and tough methodologies”.

“I think their ideology inspires them in terms of selecting targets. First of all, Russia is in Syria and fighting against Daesh [ISIL] like the United States. That means they see such countries as hostile,” Aslan told Al Jazeera.

“They are now in Moscow. Previously they were in Iran, and we will see much more attacks, maybe in other capitals,” he added.

Though its membership in Afghanistan is said to have declined since a peak in about 2018, its fighters still pose one of the greatest threats to the Taliban’s authority in Afghanistan.

Previous attacks by the group

ISKP fighters claimed responsibility for the 2021 attacks outside Kabul airport that left at least 175 civilians dead, killed 13 US soldiers, and many dozens injured.

The ISIL affiliate was previously blamed for carrying out a bloody attack on a maternity ward in Kabul in May 2020 that killed 24 people, including women and infants. In November that same year, the group carried out an attack on Kabul University, killing at least 22 teachers and students.

In September 2022, the group took responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing at the Russian embassy in Kabul.

Last year, Iran blamed the group for two separate attacks on a major shrine in southern Shiraz – the Shah Cheragh – which killed at least 14 people and injured more than 40.

The US claimed that it intercepted communications confirming that the group was preparing to carry out attacks before coordinated suicide bombings in Iran in January this year killed nearly 100 people in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman. ISKP claimed responsibility for the Kerman attacks.

Why is ISIL attacking Russia?

Defence and security analysts say the group has targeted its propaganda at Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent years over the alleged oppression of Muslims by Russia.

“Russian foreign policy has been one big red flag for ISIS [ISIL],” Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Washington-based Wilson Center told Al Jazeera. “The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Russian actions in Chechnya, Moscow’s close relationships with the Syrian and Iranian governments, and especially the military campaigns that Russia has waged against ISIS fighters in Syria and — through Wagner Group mercenaries – in parts of Africa.”

All of that has meant that Moscow has become a focus of ISKP’s “extensive propaganda war,” said Amira Jadoon, assistant professor at Clemson University in South Carolina and co-author of, The Islamic State in Afghanistan and Pakistan: Strategic Alliances and Rivalries.

“Russia’s engagement in the global fight against ISIS and its affiliates, especially through its military operations in Syria and its efforts to establish connections with the Afghan Taliban – ISIS-K’s rival – marks Russia as a key adversary for ISIS/ISIS-K,” Jadoon told Al Jazeera.

Should the Moscow attack be “definitely attributed” to ISKP, Jadoon said, the group hopes to win support and advance “its goal to evolve into a terrorist organisation with global influence” by demonstrating that it can launch attacks within Russian territory.

“ISK [ISKP] has consistently demonstrated its ambition to evolve into a formidable regional entity … By directing its aggression towards nations such as Iran and Russia, ISK not only confronts regional heavyweights but also underscores its political relevance and operational reach on the global stage,” Jadoon said.

Kabir Taneja, a fellow at the Strategic Studies Programme of the Observer Research Foundation – a think tank based in New Delhi, India – told Al Jazeera that Russia is seen by ISIL and its affiliates as “a crusading power against Muslims”.

“Russia has been a target for ISIS and not just ISKP from the beginning,” Taneja, author of the book, The ISIS Peril, said.

“ISKP attacked [the] Russian embassy in Kabul in 2022, and over the months, Russian security agencies have upped their efforts to clamp down on pro-ISIS ecosystems both in Russia and around its borders, specifically Central Asia and the Caucusus,” he said.

In early March, Russia’s Federal Security Service, better known as the FSB, said it had thwarted an ISIL plan to attack a Moscow synagogue.

“The most compelling current motivation for ISIS-K to attack Russia is the Taliban factor. The Taliban is a bitter rival of ISIS, and ISIS views Russia as a friend of the Taliban,” said Kugelman.

Moscow’s close relations with Israel are also anathema to ISIL’s ideology, Taneja said.

“So this friction is not new ideologically, but is so tactically,” he told Al Jazeera.

There’s another factor, too: Largely away from the world’s attention, the armed group has regrouped into a formidable force after setbacks in Syria and Iran.

“ISKP in Afghanistan has grown in strength significantly … and it’s not just ISKP, ISIS in its original regions of operations, Syria and Iraq, also sees [an] uptick in operational capabilities,” Taneja said. Today, he added, it is “ideologically powerful even if not politically, tactically or strategically … that powerful any more”.

That poses a challenge for a distracted world, he said.

“How to combat this is the big question at a time when big power competition and global geopolitical churn has put counterterrorism on the back burner,” Taneja added.

How has ISIL responded?

ISKP social media channels are “jubilant” following the attack on Moscow, said Abdul Basit, a senior associate fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore.

“They are celebrating the attack,” Basit told Al Jazeera, adding that supporters are “translating and recirculating the responsibility claim” issued by the ISIL-linked Amaq News Agency.

Basit said that ISIL’s method of operations involves amplifying a propaganda campaign in advance of large-scale attacks and this had been observed in recent anti-Russian messaging. Such attacks “add to the credibility” of armed groups, Basit explained, which then “increases the scope of their funding, recruitment and propaganda”.

More attacks are possible in Russia and elsewhere, he added, given the key role that ISIL recruits of Central Asian origin – particularly Tajiks – played when the group held territory in Syria. They have now returned to the Central Asia region and their intent to carry out attacks has now materialised in capability, Basit said.

Previous attacks in Russia

Moscow and other Russian cities have been the targets of previous attacks.

In 2002, Chechen fighters took more than 900 people hostage in a Moscow theatre, the Dubrovka, demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya and an end to Russia’s war on the region.

Russian special forces attacked the theatre to end the standoff and 130 people were killed, most suffocated by a gas used by security forces to leave the Chechen fighters unconscious.

The deadliest attack in Russia was the 2004 Beslan school siege which was carried out by members of a Chechen armed group seeking Chechnya’s independence from Russia. The siege killed 334 people, including 186 children.

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5 reasons to visit Novodevichy Convent, Moscow’s most mystical monastery

1. It’s rich in Imperial Russian history

Still working as a nunnery to this day, Novodevichy Convent is about as deeply immersed in Orthodox history as one can get. The rich religious legacy dates back to Muscovy’s conquest of Smolensk and the subsequent construction of the Smolensk Cathedral in 1524, rightly giving the atmosphere a centuries-old feel.

Tsarevna Sofia Alekseyevna at the Novodevichy Convent (Ilya Repin, 1876)

Interestingly, the nunnery that was gradually established there became a home for noblewomen, some of whom moved there more reluctantly than others – Peter I’s sister Sophia, for example, was imprisoned there once the young tsar came of age.

Novodevichy Convent’s small (mostly female) community thrived throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, establishing a hospital, a veteran shelter, and an orphanage within its walls. So spiritually and politically significant was this religious cloister that Napoleon considered its imminent destruction to be vital during his 1812 invasion; however, the religious haven was saved by its residents.

In the thick of Russian history for much of its lifespan, the convent remains remarkably well-preserved, and few places in Moscow embody the spiritual environs of Orthodoxy as well as this.

2. It’s home to some of Russia’s best classical architecture

The convent’s elite status throughout history means that the fourteen buildings and four stunning cathedrals packed into its modest confines are among Russia’s most stunning. The five-headed Smolensk Cathedral, built to resemble the Kremlin’s Assumption Cathedral, is the main attraction, boasting stunning snowy white walls and a pristine golden onion dome as its centerpiece. Its gold-lined interior is no less spectacular either, encasing the cathedral’s stunning fresco collection.

The convent’s other cathedrals, namely the blood-red Intercession Gate Church, are among the finest examples of the Moscow Baroque style from the 17th century. Another case in point is the outwardly dominating octagonal bell tower which, at an impressive 72m, was the city’s second-highest construction in its day, eclipsed only by the Kremlin’s Ivan the Great bell tower.

Juxtaposed to an urban backdrop, Novodevichy’s remarkable architecture is what keeps the convent a fundamental part of the Moscow landscape.

3. A “who’s who” of modern Russian history is buried in its graveyard

Just outside the convent’s grounds lies the Novodevichy Cemetery, a relatively new burial ground where only the cream of the crop can gain access. Opened in 1898, the graveyard is now home to the bodies of many legendary artists such as Chekhov, Gogol, Shostakovich, Eisenstein, Bulgakov, and Mayakovsky, as well as political elites like Khrushchev, Yeltsin, and Nadezhda Alliluyeva (Stalin’s second wife). It’s by far the most fascinating place in Moscow to hunt for famous graves.

4. It has one of the city’s best icon collections

Although the Our Lady of Smolensk icon (in whose name the Smolensk Cathedral was built) is said to have been destroyed during the Second World War, the cathedral is certainly not lacking in stunning iconostasis. The five-tier wall wooden painting arrangement, created mostly in the late 16th Century under Boris Godunov’s rule, is a riot of color, while the array of gold-carved Baroque 17th Century icons was added by the leading painters of the time, Simeon Ushakov and Fyodor Zubov. Arguably the city’s most breathtakingly ornate religious display.

5. Its park and ponds are as tranquil as Moscow city center gets

On one side of Novodevichy Park lies the Moskva River and on the other – the convent itself, rendered all the more stunning by the crystalline ponds and Kremlin-esque walls that accompany it. Quaint but within touching distance from the city center, Novodevichy Park is great year-round spot for a stroll, taking to the snow and summer greenery equally well.

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