Moscow, Aug 20 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Russia's first public Muslim TV channel, Al-RTV, has gone on air ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
According to the Bashinform news portal, Al-RTV has been established by Russia's largest Muslim organisations to promote Islamic religious and spiritual values.
The round-the-clock service was launched Sunday, to coincide with Eid-ul-Fitr.
The channel covers eight Russian regions -- Bashkortostan, Tatarstan and six North Caucasus republics.
The channel's chief editor is Rustam Arifdzhanov, vice president of the Eurasian Academy of Television and Radio Broadcasting.
It will be supported by private donations and government grants.