According to the data for January, 1st, 2010, the quantity of Muslim religious organizations in Ukraine increased on 33 communities in comparison with January, 1st, 2009. The chairman of the State committee on affairs of nationalities and religions, Yury Reshetnikov, informed on it at the press conference in UKRINFORM.
“Dynamics of growth of the quantity of religious organizations in Ukraine testifies that the situation in the state is positive for the religious community”, Yu.Reshetnikov noted. As he stated, the religious situation in the state is favorable not only for the Christian environment, but also for others confessions, to what testifies growth of the number of religious organizations of Muslims.
Let us notice that on January, 1st, 2010, in Ukraine there are registered 1 182 Muslim organizations.
Economic measurement of religious freedom
The chairman of the State committee on affairs of nationalities and religions noticed that religious freedom has not only statistical, but also economic measurement. Considering it, last year the government undertook the concrete steps directed on maintenance of religious freedom in Ukraine and on improvement of financial position of churches and religious organizations, he emphasized. First of all it is the issue concerning land tenure by religious organizations. They, in particular, acquired the right to constant and free using of the land areas of the state and municipal patterns of ownership. Moreover, the religious organizations are also permitted to pay for gas on the fare level for the population, instead of commercial establishments as it was before.
One more step to the direction of maintenance of religious freedom Yu.Reshetnikov named the decision accepted by the government at the requirement of religious community of Ukraine, concerning granting of more favorable conditions for clerics-foreigners who arrive to Ukraine under the invitation of religious organizations. At the present time in the presence of corresponding religious visa they have right to stay on the territory of Ukraine for one year, and on occasion, under the well-grounded request of a religious organization - for 3 years.
Summing up, Yu.Reshetnikov emphasized that despite existence of some calls in Ukraine, especially at the level of the local governments which decisions are sometimes caused due to their adherence to this or that confession, as a whole the present situation testifies that our state is one of the world leaders by observance of the right of its citizens on freedom of worship, and also activity of religious organizations.
The inquiry. The religious network of Ukraine, on January, 1st, 2010, totals 35184 religious organizations.
The most numerous group among religious communities of Ukraine are orthodox churches - in the general 18 thousand.
Protestant churches total almost 8,5 thousand.
In Ukraine there are approximately 1 400 religious organizations of a charismatic direction, 297 - Jewish and 1 182 - Muslim.
By UKRINFORM
Related Links:
Representatives of Government, Parliament and Public Estimated Condition of State - Church Relations in Ukraine in 2009
