His opinion about the situation in Ukraine which developed as a result of infinite political squabbles and world crisis, in his interview to Islam.ru stated the head of the Spiritual Management of Muslims of Ukraine "Ummah" Said Ismagilov.
The conversation is conducted by Abdullah Rinat Muhametov
- How do Muslims of your country consider the prospects of Ukraine's entering to the NATO?
We did not conduct special researches, but the "field" observations confirm the thesis that the opinion of Muslims concerning the question of entering the NATO coincides with the all-Ukraine position. At the present, the majority of the citizens of Ukraine do not express their desire to see the country among the members of the Alliance. The same situation is with the Muslims.
Some part of our fellow brothers considers that joining the Alliance will move the country closer to the European standards of life. But the majority perfectly understands that the NATO is the military-political mechanism providing interests of its founders. It is not a charitable and not a human rights organization, hence from entering the NATO it is not necessary to wait for "the European break".
A lot of Muslims still remember the Afghani tragedy when Muslims of the USSR were compelled to fight against their fellow brothers in this country. As the NATO explicitly or implicitly participates in aggression against Muslim countries, Ukrainian followers of Islam do not wish to be involved in it.
- In the Russian mass-media the situation in Crimea at times appears to be very strained. Is the Russian-Ukrainian-Crimean-Tatar conflict really so deep and serious, according to your information?
I am always surprised with peripetias of information war between mass-media of Russia and Ukraine. It is sad that they try to play "the Crimean card" in it, exaggerating in it the topic of conflicts with participation of Muslims of the peninsula.
Actually, recently there were not observed any serious ethnic conflicts in Crimea. Nowadays there is misunderstanding by the Crimean local authorities of requirements and needs of the Crimean Tatars. Especially it is noticeable by the permanent conflict round the building of a cathedral mosque in Simferopol on the Yalta line.
Muslims are interested in the agrarian questions, questions of restoration of the rights on the cultural and religious monuments of their people. But it is not the interethnic conflict, it is a problem of the authorities and repatriates.
It seems to me that mass-media of Russia by its hysteria round Crimea pursues two aims:
a) Once again to represent Ukraine as a politically-ideological enemy of Russia;
b) To try to reorient tourists on the eve of a resort season from, ostensibly, restless Crimea on the Russian Black Sea coast because of mercantile reasons.
Last political collisions in your state, probably, do not lay aside the-
Muslim community, too. From your point of view, what happens? And what political regime is supported by the Ukrainian adherents of Islam?
Political collisions in any case affect all inhabitants of the country. However we, as well as the majority of citizens, are not participants, but those, who suffered from the political and economic crisis.
What happens? An ordinary race for power between various imperious groupings. Such a thing probably happens in many countries passing the hard way of formation of democracy.
To tell, what parties in particular are supported by Muslims of Ukraine is impossible. On my observation, likings are disseminated between ten political forces. However, it is possible to tell with confidence that the Ummah of the country wishes to see Ukraine as a strong independent state which would not cave in neither under the interests of the West, nor under Russia, and would conduct the firm political line for the blessing of all citizens of the country.
- On what purposes was created one more spiritual management of Muslims – the SMMU "Ummah"? What are its purposes? How it differs from the others Spiritual Managements of the country?
The SMMU "Ummah" was created not "from above" at the will of someone from the "mighty of this world". It was the initiative of Muslims from eleven regions of the country. Religious communities for long time did not see any initiatives and vigorous activity from the side of already existing Spiritual Managements, except for Crimea, and came to a conclusion that the future needs to be built by our own hands. There was observed a certain depression, a stop in the development. It let an occasion for the researchers to speak that Muslims already reached a maximum of their development and will not surprise with anything.
In this situation the initiative was intercepted by ordinary Muslims who gathered and having found common language, decided to unite and to register a new Spiritual Management. Independent religious communities which did not consist before in any of existing associations entered into it.
And it recovered all! Other associations as if left a lethargic sleep and became considerably more active.
The main purposes of the SMMU "Ummah" is to profess and to preach Islam actively, to defend and represent interests of believers, to be an example and to lead behind it Muslims of Ukraine. And all this is done just to gain satisfaction of Allah the Supreme. For these purposes were set a lot of tasks, from construction of mosques to the call to faith and teaching of fellow brothers.
In what way we differ from the others Spiritual Managements? Time will tell. I will only state that "Ummah" does not limit itself to work with certain ethnic groups of Muslims and wishes to unite on the basis of Islamic principles of equality and a brotherhood all and everyone: Tatars, Ukrainians, Russians, Muslims of Caucasus, Arabs, Turks, and the whole Ummah of the country.
- Recently the SMMU "Ummah" entered into the formed Council of Representatives of Spiritual Managements and Centers of Muslims of Ukraine at the State Committee of Ukraine on Affairs of Nationalities and Religions. What for this body is created; what it means for Islam in Ukraine; and what are your tasks within the limits of this association?
The Council of Representatives of Spiritual Managements and Centers of Muslims of Ukraine at the State Committee of Ukraine on Affairs of Nationalities and Religions is a first successful attempt of association of Muslims of the country in the history, yet at the level of leaders and heads of Spiritual Managements. The council is a representative and a consulting-advisory body of Muslims of the country.
I think that we need the coordination body for a long time for the joint decision of the vital issues from working out of a uniform strategy of development, to preparation and carrying out of Hajj for us. It developed historically that Muslims of Ukraine have no uniform spiritual Management. At the beginning of independence it was promoted by the movements which brought the split into the outlined unity of Ummah.
As for the SMMU "Ummah", we will strive to apply maximum efforts for the development of popularization of Islam and Islamic values, to co-operate actively with other councilors in all joint projects. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "He who strives that the word of the Lord to be above all, is on the way of Allah".
- How world and economic crisis affected life and activity of Muslims and Islamic organizations of Ukraine?
The crisis, unfortunately, touched both Muslims, and non-Muslims. The involvement of all into a global economy affected. Those from us who were afraid of the Allah and did not wish to get rich on bank credits and deposits suffered less. Those who dreamt to become rich due to riba (usury) got the due. As a whole the crisis affected the activity of the Muslim organizations that there are now fewer donations on Islamic projects.
- How do Muslims of Ukraine look at prospects of cooperation with Russian fellow brothers, and in general from the countries of the former USSR?
According to the command of Allah the Almighty, "And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves" - Muslims of Ukraine are opened for cooperation not only with fellow brothers from the countries of the former USSR, but also with all who bear in their hearts fidelity to the words "There is no God, but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger"!
By Islam.ru
Related Links:
Islam only in Congregation (Interview with Head of SMMU "Ummah" S.Ismagilov)
New Spiritual Management of Muslims "Ummah" is Registered in Ukraine
