QHA, 10.06.09
Ukraine Muslims had recently learned of a new Muslim religious organization, Religious Administration of the Muslims of Ukraine Ummah, which along with Crimean Mufti and ‘Kyiv’s Muftiyat’ entered the newly established Council of Mufties of Ukraine. Thereupon QHA correspondent has interviewed the spiritual leader of Muslim Religious Administration of Ukraine Said efendi Ismagilov.- Would you tell us a little about yourself? Where have you received religious education?
- I was born in Tatar family in Donetsk. I have received religious education at Moscow Higher Spiritual Islamic College, which later received the status of Moscow Islamic University. I graduated Shariah’s Department excellently. On graduating from College I came back to Donetsk where I began working as assistant in Ukrainian Islamic University. I also received a secular education I studied at Philosophy and Religion Studies Department of the State University of Informatics and Artificial Intelligence. I am a postgraduate student in the same university now. Since 2001 I worked as Imam of Duslık Donetsk Muslim community.
- How long do you live in Kyiv? What did stimulate you to move to this city?
-I live not so long in Kyiv exactly after the first constituent assembly of Ummah Muslims Spiritual Administration of Ukraine.
- Would you tell us about this association? When and what is its creating purpose?
- 25 January this year, representatives of ten religious communities from different regions of Ukraine were in favour of the creation Ummah Muslims Religious Administration of Ukraine. These 10 communities were connected by the joint activities in cooperation with Ar-Raid Association. A kind of depression in religious life of the country has pushed a creation of new religious administration. Ukrainian Muslim community is still young and stagnation may affect adversely. From the pre-existing at the time of spiritual administrations of serious initiatives were not observed except in Crimea. While all the other confessions are developing, building their religious temples, join their people, publish literature, hold conferences, seminars, in Muslims religious life of Ukraine in my opinion the crisis is obvious. Therefore Muslims have come to the decision to establish its association to solve their own pressing problems. As far as a single community is often unable to comply this complex of tasks of Muslims satisfaction needs one or another region it was decided to unite and create their religious administration. Officially we were registered in September 2008.
- The authorities do not impede the registration of your administration, do they?
- We used our democratic right on religion and association freedoms. But the true we have been waiting for completion of registration longer it should be by standards. Several times we were sent to edit the statutes and such an artificial way, perhaps, delayed the process but in general I cannot say we have been prevented.
- Don’t you think making of a new religious administration aggravates a split among Muslims?
- I do not think so. Rather the creation Ummah is a positive revolution in Ukrainian Islamic history. Point is that Muslims of Ukraine were divided initially. There were a huge number of communities and just Muslims who will not have been registered and accordingly could not defend their interests and rights. It happened so, at the dawn of Ukrainian independence was unable to create a united Muslim Religious Administration. Although there were preconditions but as well sectarian activities of certain religious groups such as habbashits to prevent the all Muslims over Ukraine were united. Appearance of our religious administration united several Muslim communities. That is as it seems to me we go to the full fragmentation to consolidation. At this stage most of Muslims leaders came to the fact we need to create a council which would coordinate and represent the interests of all Ukraine’s Muslims. In this regard a council of religious administrations and Muslims centres in Ukraine were established. It is explicit consolidation. We began to search understanding and seek cooperation.
- How would you make a comment RAMU and RCMU were not affiliate to this council?
- I refrain from comments. These are their own matters. I say, exist Head of the State committee
for nationalities and religions Mr. Sagan invited all in the name of State committee.
Those who refused it is their right. Each association is independent. Those who joined the council, show really they are willing to work jointly to develop and respect each other.
- Is Ummah RAMU ready to cooperate with all associations and centres?
- At this stage we are working closely with the Muslim Religious Administration of Crimea. This cooperation is reflected in joint plans for future, for example we are already preparing the delegation which will dispatch of pilgrims to Hajj. Also we are ready to cooperate with Kyiv’s Muftiyat and RCMU. That is all for present.
- Do you think there any difficulties in sending people to Hajj this year?
- We will see. Delegation forms now, which will start in early June in Saudi Arabia to negotiate with the Ministry for Hajj. Head of the Delegation was appointed Mufti of Crimea. Moreover, decision was made in consideration of Saudi side wishes exactly this man led the preparations for the Hajj in 2009. This issue was discussed at two meetings at the State Committee for Nationalities and Religions where has been invited all but only representatives of 3 administrations attended. There was decided to invite all to nominate their representatives in the delegation. Council task is to provide opportunity to all muftiyats to be involved in the organization of the Hajj this year. We shall not do so, as RAMU did last year, because it is important for us Islamic principle of justice. Moreover, we were surprised to know Ukraine was not allocated 150 seats for Hajj last year, as Ahmed Tamim (RAMU) said, but more than 900. This number officially was confirmed by Saudi side.
- What plans does have Ummah RAMU in the near future?
- We shall issue the first Islamic newspaper in the Ukrainian language. It will be called the Ummah and this will be our official press organ. In addition, we plan to open our official site. Among the activities at the earliest possible time is the opening of the central mosque in the city of Luhansk. We also have plans to build a few more mosques in the cities, particularly in of the town Konstantinovka, Donetsk region.
- What would you like to wish all Muslims of Ukraine?
- I wish the grace of Almighty Allah and his blessing. And also I would like to call for all Muslims to embody the Oriental wisdom, which is legendary one. We should cherish the Islamic revival in Ukraine and strive to become active participants.
By QHA
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