All-Ukrainian Association of NGOs Alraid (Arabic for “good”) was founded in 1997. Over the shoulders of the Association more than a decade of experience, whose main activity is primarily to deliver to the Ukrainian community accurate information about Islam, the implementation of intercultural and interreligious dialogue and enhancing spirituality of Muslims of Ukraine.
The process of adopting Islam by the representatives of other religions is certainly in the field of view of the Association whose main purpose is to spread accurate and unbiased information about Islam. That is why QHA news agency addressed to the chief of the Crimean branch of the all-Ukrainian Association of NGOs Alraid Muhammad Taha with a request to comment on the process of Islam adoption by the representatives of other faiths in Crimea.
QHA: - How large, on your opinion, is the process of adoption Islam by the representatives of other religions in Crimea?
M.T.: - If we consider such phenomenon as Islam adoption by the representatives of other religions, in Crimea it is practically not observed. There are single cases; most of them took place in the past. Typically, these are people who attend our centre, come to the Arabic language lessons and study the culture of the East. On my opinion, such phenomenon is more vivid in other cities of Ukraine, such as Kyiv, Kharkiv and Donetsk. There is a substantial performance of such people. According to the data of our Association, 200 people have accepted Islam last year.
I should note that as the Association we do not aim at such indicators but we try to impart introductory literature about Islam, to show the true face of this religion and to break the stereotypes of the recent years. In the countries of post-Soviet area many factors influenced the formation of the negative attitude to Islam. Among them there are mass media and former regimes giving a distorted view of the Muslim religion. We try to show Islam just as it is. Due to the spiritual crisis in which the society is many people search for the spiritual solace and eventually find it in faith, in Islam.
QHA: - Who accept Islam more frequently – men or women?
M.T.: - Women account for 80% among those who accepted Islam. There are very few men among them.
QHA: - What are the reasons of it?
M.T.: - There are cases when a girl is getting married and, as a result, adopts Islam. There are also those who studies in the centre, reads, ask questions and in the result of the spiritual search become Muslims.
QHA: - How do they feel themselves in Islam? What is their future?
M.T.: - It differs. Sometimes a woman adopts Islam and disappears from the sight of view, goes to another family, leaves away. However, many of them continue attending the centre; they learn Islam and get attached to women’s work.
Reference. The Interregional Associaction of Public Organizations (IAPO) “Arraid” (“pioneering” in translation from Arabic) was founded in 1997. For 10 years of its existence the Association united on the basis of possessing relations social organizations in more than ten regions of Ukraine, and its activity is spread almost in every region of Ukraine. That is why in 2007 was registered All-Ukrainian association “Alraid”, which is “Arraid’s” successor. “Alraid” Association is a non-profit organization involved in cultural, educational and charitable activities, providing aid for Ukrainian citizens irrespective of their religion, confession or race. Islamic public and cultural centres created by the Association were opened in Ukrainian regions.
By QHA
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