Islam in Ukraine - inter-religious

First Festival of Inter-religious Harmony in Donetsk Region

oksana — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:56:01 +0000

On February, 5th, in the premise of the 2nd building of the Makeevka Economic-Humanitarian Institute took place the first festival of inter-religious harmony in Donetsk region. As an occasion of carrying out of the action was the resolution No 65/5 about "The world week of harmonious inter-confessional relations" accepted by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The festival took place at the initiative of the regional social organization "Center of development and harmonization of a man "East"", the Council of Nationalities of Makeyevka, Makeevka city information-educational center "Human rights", at support of the Faculty of Law and Psychology of the MEHI.

The idea of carrying out of the festival was also supported by the department on affairs of religions of the Donetsk regional state administration and the Center of religious researches and the international religious relations.

Formation of friendship between representatives of various outlooks, religious faiths, national cultures, xenophobia and intolerance overcoming and, as consequence, cooperation development in the sphere of moral improvement of the society was the purpose of the festival.

Along with the representatives of Orthodox, Catholic, Greek-Catholic and Protestant churches, regional spiritual association of Judaic communities of Donbass, in the festival actively participated the head of the female department of Donbass branch of the AUASO "Аlraid", Tanzila Isa, the Mufti of the RAMU "Ummah", Said Ismagilov, and the Imam-khatyb of the Muslim religious community "Duslyk" of the city of Donetsk, Rustam Husnutdinov.

Within the limits of the festival the round table with participation of the scholars-philosophers and the scholars of religious studies, representatives of authorities (of the Donetsk SSA and the Makeevka City Council), social cultural-educational organizations, heads of religious denominations of Makeyevka and Donetsk area on a the topic "Moral treasures of religions of the world" was carried out.

The festival program also included presentation of an art exhibition, photos, books, information materials representing world outlook and religious variety of Donetsk region.

The visitors and participants of the action got possibility to enjoy music and dance concert "About the main thing by the words of beauty".

As a result of the work carried out behind the round table, and offers expressed by the participants, the projects of joint activity of the cultural public, representatives of religious faiths and other interested persons in direction of moral improvement of the society, assistance to disadvantaged and decision of other acute problems of the society (such as smoking, alcoholism and drug addiction) were developed.

The participants of the festival agreed that the moral bases of religions of the world and combined efforts of pure and sincere hearts can spiritually revive our society.

By "Islam in Donbass"

13/02/2012

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Muslims and Christians of Palestine – Together for Independence

nourdeen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:51:54 +0000

Muslims and Christians of Palestine on the same level struggle for independence of the Palestinian State. About it the ambassador of the Palestinian autonomy in Ukraine, Dr. Mohammad Al-Asaad stated in his interview to the portal "Religion in Ukraine". "There are a lot of famous Christians who were killed for the sake of the Palestinian statehood", he said.

The ambassador denied the spread in mass-media of the message on infringement of freedom of religion of Christians in Palestine.

"Any act of terrorism or murder is just a criminal offense, not connected with religion in any way", Al-Asaad emphasized, answering the question on murder in 2007 in Gaza Strip of a well-known Christian active worker, Rami Khader Ayyad.

He told that in Gaza there are a lot of Christians, though the mode of HAMAS party, supervising Gaza Strip, can be considered pro-Islamic.

"Nevertheless, it is difficult to find religious motives in the actions of radicalists", the ambassador, who belongs to FATH party, noticed.

Pilgrimage place

Even despite the difficult situation, every year to Palestine come about 2 million foreigners for pilgrimage, informed Al-Asaad, having told what the people who visited Palestine have seen and have experienced: each believer can easily perform the rituals, prayers to God. After "Israel" cancelled visa regime for tourists from Ukraine, the tourist's stream from our country increased, he marks.According to his data, in 2011 about 20 000 – 25 000 Ukrainians visited Palestine that profited the autonomy.

Therefore Al-Asaad considers that development of relations between two states goes on in the correct way."I am assured that any visit, whatever character it has, terminates with very good impressions of Ukrainians, as Palestinians are benevolent and hospitable. Even despite difficult conditions".

The Ukrainian Christians for the independent Palestine

Palestine with satisfaction considers position of Ukraine regarding settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"The Christianity which stems from Kiev still from the ancient times treated Palestine benevolently and kindly", the ambassador marked.

Proceeding from his experience of dialogue with representatives of all faiths, represented in Ukraine, he does not agree with the opinion that the Ukrainian Christians tend to support "Israel" in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On the contrary, according to his observations, Ukrainian Churches support the process of peaceful, bloodless settlement of the conflict.

"We support Palestine in its aspiration to be the independent state on the world map", he heard from all.

Let us notice that for today in Palestine are represented all faiths, including about 55000 Christians who are integral part of the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian Muslims consider Christians as absolutely equal partners in the dialogue, Al-Asaad tells.

By "Religion in Ukraine"

23/01/2012

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Copts Consider "Muslim Brotherhood" "Most Understanding and Tolerant"

nourdeen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:47:11 +0000

In his interview to Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram the priest of the church of Two Saints in Alexandria, Father Maqar Fawzi, stated that the Copts of his city voted for candidates of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), in particular, in the second round, as they consider "Muslim Brotherhood" to be "the most understanding and tolerant".

"We do not agree with them in some issues, but in general we supported them, especially their ways of decision of these or that questions. Therefore we voted for them, believing that they are capable to solve problems", he stated.

Fawzi considers that blossoming of political Islam is the normal phenomenon, as Muslims represent the majority of the population of the country. He emphasized that Christians lived centuries under the Islamic rule, so, there is nothing new that nowadays they aspire to live in harmony with Muslims.

Fawzi expressed hope that pro-Islamic powers will solve the problem of extremism. The priest also emphasized that the Muslims are able to defend the Coptic Issues in the National Assembly more effectively, than Copts.

By "Islam for all"

23/01/2012

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In Crimea trying to kindle inter-religious Conflict

oksana — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:23:31 +0000

In Crimea took place the next attempt to kindle inter-religious conflict on the ground of murder of a 19-year-old girl. A number of mass-media spread messages on murder by "the Crimean Islamites for infringement of the laws of Shariat". At the same time the Central administrative board of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in Crimea categorically denies the information that the crime had a religious pretext.

"There is no religious pretext in the given crime", Olga Kondrashova stated on Friday to the chief of the centre of public relations of the MA of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in the ARC.

As it became known, law enforcement officers established the personality of the murdered girl. It was the 19-year-old student of a local technical school, Ekaterina Koren, who about a week ago was put on the wanted list by her parents. The cause of the death was an open craniocereberal trauma, and also suffocation traces were appreciable.

On suspicion in murder was detained a 16-year-old local resident, Bilal Gaziev, who was the girl's group-mate.

During the primary interrogation the guy confessed to the crime. However, according to the information of the acting chief of the Soviet RD Dmitry Kratko, subsequently the arrested person refused from his indications.

Dzhemilev: the murderer has no relation to Islam

In his interview to TSN.ua the leader of the Mejlis of the Crimean-Tatar people, Mustafa Dzhemilev, named the information on murder of the 19-year-old girl by "the Crimean Islamites according to the law of the Shariat" as provocation and stated that the murderer has no relation to Islam.

"As I have understood, according to his father, their family is non-believing, who never went to a mosque. His father is the Crimean Tatar, well, formally they are considered to be Muslims, but there is no any sign of wahhabism! So probably this is a kind of provocation", Dzhemilev emphasized.

When representatives of the Mejlis addressed militia together with the father of the arrested guy, it was found out that when Gaziev was sent the lawyer, the young man refused from his primary indications. He told to his father the following, "Men from militia told me that I must say so... I told them that I have no relation; that I only saw her off. But militiamen asked me to state so", Dzhemilev said.

As he said, against the young man plays the fact that with him there was found a mobile telephone of the murdered girl and blood traces on his clothes. However, as examination has shown, these were the traces of his blood.

Regional: Provocation against Mejlis

At the same time, Vasily Kiselyov, the people's deputy from the party of regions earlier leading the Crimean cell of the party, does not exclude that this provocation is directed against the chairman of the Mejlis, Mustafa Dzhemilev.

"The boy suspected of fulfillment of the murder studied well, he was perspective, and then got under bad influence. As far as I know, there were three murderers, but for some reason he took responsibility on himself. But I would agree with Mustafa Dzhemilev that, it is visible, the guy was used for kindling of international difference. Who needs it? There among the Crimean Tatars the situation is ambiguous: some accept Mustafa Dzhemilev, others - not. Well, as always, the race for power, for influence on the Crimean-Tatar people goes, but I would not dwell on only one version", Kiselyov informed.

Political scientist: the inter-confessional conflict in Crimea is kindled by the Kremlin

In his turn the political scientist, Victor Nebozhenko, in his comment to TSN.ua noticed that to extend messages that in Crimea are performed crimes on religious ground, is favourable for Russian power.

"Russia prepares for elections, and an unstable Ukraine will be favourable to shade results of activity of the Moscow tandem of Putin-Medvedev", Nebozhenko stated.

According to the political scientist, Donetsk and Lvov after the first provocations quickly departed, the new factor of instability that allows to shake the Ukrainian political boat therefore joins, which is the Crimean factor where any, even the most innocent action can turn to a revolt source. After this it is possible to predict only inter-confessional conflicts, Nebozhenko emphasized.

"Then we will be sure that everything that occurs has artificial character. But it does not remove responsibility from our power for that", the political scientist added.

It is interesting to notice that, according to ТSN.ua, for the first time the information on murder fulfillment on religious ground in Crimea appeared not on Ukrainian, but on the Russian site "Free press" ("Svobodnaya pressa").

Currently, the criminal case on the ground of crime provided by item 115 p.1 PC of Ukraine - premeditated murder is raised. The investigation is carried on.

By "Interfax-Ukraine" and TSN.ua

02/06/2011

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Unapproved Installation of Cross in Feodosia – unrelated to Religion Political Action, RAMC

nourdeen — Fri, 20 May 2011 22:33:47 +0000

The Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea (RAMC) considers that the action on illegal installation of a worship cross on entrance to Feodosia is "a political action unrelated to religion which purpose is destabilization of international and inter-confessional relations on the peninsula" on the eve of the anniversary of deportation of the Crimean-Tatar people from Crimea.

It is said in the statement of the RAMC published on its official site.

The Muftiyat notices that in Feodosia "again because of the Crimean pseudo-Cossack movement ripens a crisis situation". For the permission of this question on the place came representatives of the Medzhlis of the Crimean-Tatar people and the Mufti of Muslims of Crimea, Hadzhi Emirali Ablaev.

"As it was found out, the head of Orthodox Christians of Crimea, the Patriarch of Simferopol and Crimea, Lazar, does not concern this event and did not give the approval for cross installation in Vladislavovka", reads the statement of the RAMC.

"It is obvious that this occasion is used by certain political forces is the political action unrelated to religion which purpose is destabilization of international and inter-confessional relations on the peninsula on the eve of May, 18th, – the day of the memorial service, collecting ten thousand Crimean Tatars on a central square of Simferopol", the Muftiyat emphasized.

Illegally established cross to be dismantled in a judicial order

As it informs "Crimea24", last Wednesday in the evening on entrance to Feodosia from outside Vladislavovka village at the initiative of the Feodosiysky regiment of the International Cossack Union (ICU) without any coordination with the authorities there was installed worship cross.

Thus the idea of installation of the cross without necessary documents was also not approved by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchy, and the rural dean of Feodosia, father Michael Sytenko stated that "Cossacks showed disobedience".

Nevertheless, Cossacks found a priest who, contrary to the will of the church, agreed to consecrate the established cross. It was father Illarion, the priest of the Russian Foreign Orthodox Church, having among Orthodox clergy ambiguous reputation.

The mayor of Feodosia, Alexander Bartenev, and the public prosecutor of the city, Daniel Stadnik, also tried to convince Cossacks not to provoke inter-confessional intensity and to dismantle illegal object, but he was not heard.

"In the due time in our council there was accepted an inter-confessional decision: everything concerning religion should become exclusively under the law, and installation of any cult symbols should undergo lawful procedure, both orthodox, and Muslim, – Bartenev reminded. – We should live in peace and harmony: representatives of all religions".

According to the official site of Feodosia City Council, now the mayoralty intends to achieve dismantle of illegally installed cross in a judicial order.

By "Crimea24"

21/05/2011

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Inter-Confessional Council of Crimea asks Yanukovych to promote Building of Cathedral Mosque in Simferopol

oksana — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:09:39 +0000

Inter-confessional Council of Crimea "World - God's gift", uniting traditional religious organizations of the autonomy, addressed to the president of Ukraine Victor Yanukovych with the request to promote building of the Cathedral mosque in Simferopol. On it "Interfax-religion" was informed in the press-service of the Simferopol diocese.

"Respectfully we ask you to support the initiative of Muslims of Crimea that each people living on our blest earth could realize the constitutional law on building of cult buildings and further carrying out of prayers in them", is stated in the circulation to the head of the state.

Authors of the document reminded that in 2004 members of Inter-confessional council already addressed to the authorities of the autonomy with the request for the building permission to the Crimean Muslims of the Cathedral mosque in Simferopol.

In his turn the metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea Lazar in his performances repeatedly said that for restoration of historical justice, trust strengthening between people and intensity non-admission it is necessary to solve the issue on building of the main cult building of the Crimean Muslims.

Historical background

As it was informed earlier, on May, 12th, the Economic court of Crimea satisfied the statement of claim of the Religious Administration of Muslims of the autonomy to the Simferopol city council about allocation of the land area for building of the Cathedral mosque. The Economic court obliged the mayoralty to conclude with the Muftiyat the rent contract on the land area along Yaltinskaya Street, 22, and also cancelled earlier made decision of the City Council on formation of green space "Yubileyniy" on this place.

The mayor of Simferopol Gennady Babenko declared that the city authorities do not intend to appeal against a judgment and will carry it out.

On May, 14th, 2010, the president of Ukraine Victor Yanukovych signed the decree about additional measures on arrangement of the Crimean Tatars, other persons deported to a national sign, and their descendants who returned or come back to constant residence to Ukraine. In the decree the head of the state, in particular, charged the Ministerial council of Crimea to promote the decision of the building issues in Simferopol of the Cathedral mosque.

Earlier, in 2004, at first the executive committee, and then the Simferopol city council, co-ordinated the location of the Cathedral mosque in the Yaltinskaya Street and authorized for preparation of documents for the project of tap of the given ground area under building. The Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea within three years carried out all necessary coordination and presented them in 2007 on the definitive statement to the Simferopol City Council which considered this issue three times and each time refused in land allocation.

On January, 10th, 2008, the Simferopol City Council without the coordination with the Muftiyat made the decision on allocation of other land area for building of the Cathedral mosque - in the Lugovaya street, 6, though the same site was already co-ordinated by the City Council with trade union of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for habitation building.

Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea submitted the judicial claim on the decision of the Simferopol City Council. Moreover, the decision of the Simferopol deputies was protested by the Office of Public Prosecutor of Crimea. In February, 2008, the Economic court of Crimea obliged the City Council to allocate to the Mufliyat earlier co-ordinated land area in the Yaltinskaya Street, however, the City Council protested this decision in the Higher appeal court of Ukraine which returned the case on consideration in inferior court. On July, 24th, 2008 the Simferopol city council made the decision of formation of a forest park "Yubileyniy" on the land area along the Yaltinskaya Street, 22.

Since January, 23rd, 2008 the Crimean Muslims started peaceful protest action in the form of information picket on Yaltinskaya Street, 22, against actions of deputies of the city council with requirement to allocate the land for a mosque. On this place were established tents and posters with requirements. Thus in Crimea took place the action under the title "From every Crimean - one stone for building of the Cathedral mosque in Simferopol". In the action took part not only Muslims, but also inhabitants of Crimea of other creeds.

There were collected about 173 thousand stones. Moreover, people donated money which was enlisted into the special account for mosque building. In November, 2008, from the stones collected during the action on site perimeter was laid out a symbolical fence. Stones were laid on the earth, against each other, without a solution.

Information picket in Simferopol proceeds till now.

By "Interfax-religion"

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Simferopol Deputies Purposefully Delay Decision of Question of Cathedral Mosque Building, - R.Chubarov

"Cathedral Mosque - Spiritual Wealth of Simferopol", Azerbaijani Ambassador

19/11/2010

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Camp "Crimea-Sech" is Ideological Business Project of "Disguised" Cossacks, - Expert

oksana — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:39:21 +0000

The international camp "Crimea-Sech" which already throughout several years functions in Eski-Kermen area in Bakhchisarai, is a business the project for money-laundering which for attraction of the capital is set on "ideological rails" of inter-religious and interethnic opposition. The director of the Center of the Middle-Eastern researches (Kiev) Igor Semivolos stated it to the correspondent of QHA.

In the comment concerning a notorious affair with children's militarized camp "Crimea-Sech" in which Crimean "Cossacks" trained "reflexion of an attack of Islamites", the expert noted, "It is organized for several years and it is quite a good business project for money-laundering as for those who allocate land under it, and for organizers who simply steal the greatest part of the means allocated for it".

He added that it is set on ideological rails with the purpose of "more successful attraction of means and capitals".

Words of the organizer of the camp, the so-called "Cossack ataman" Sergey Yurchenko that the camp purpose is "Orthodox protection against Muslims" Igor Semivolos commented as being a frivolous statement.

The expert emphasized that for the society now it is extremely important to fix and not to forget similar cases and statements. As he said, when the time will come, these people will get their dues and then the main thing is to know these people and what they did.

Thus, the expert noticed that it is not necessary to overestimate the militarized character of the similar phenomena.

"The Camp "Crimea-Sech is sooner a game "Abroad", rather than a militarized formation, and its organizers, it is possible to tell, are disguised. And many representatives of other "Cossack" formations do not consider them as such", Semivolos added.

Provocation and kindling of international enmity

In his turn the chairman of the Constant Commission of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea on international relations and problems of the deported citizens Remzi Ilyasov regards activity of "Cossacks" as provocation.

"How it is possible to make comments on the fact of existence of such camp and action of people which are engaged in it? It is provocation", he stated in his comment to the correspondent of QHA.

At the same time, political scientist Alexey Garan considers that activity of similar groupings in Crimea should become an object of attention of the Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

"If this camp exists and names itself "Orthodox for struggle against Islam" it already poses a question because here such para-militarian formations are forbidden, this is kindling of international enmity", Garan stated in his comment to tochka.net.

Let us remind, the Camp "Crimea-Sech" during the current year functioned on the territory of reserve Eski-Kermen in Bakhchisarai from August, 3d, till August, 15th. In the camp participated youth from 10 to 18 years from Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine. Children were taught hand-to-hand fight, wood orientation, mountaineering, and rock-climbing.

The camp is carried out by the so-called "Association of Cossacks of Crimea" led by "ataman" Sergey Yurchenko already throughout several years.

By mass-media

07/10/2010

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