Arranging of provocations against Muslims is already a tradition, and impudence and immorality of anti-Islamic outings amazes even those who have no any relation to this religion. It is enough to mention the "notes" of Salman Rushdie, the Danish comical scandal, the film of a Dutch director Teo Van Gogh, attacks of another Dutchman — Herd Vilders. And if for the Muslims living on the post-Soviet territory, all of it seemed somewhat far, now the conflict on religious ground hardly started in Ukraine.
Amin KHODZHAEV
Really, it is difficult even to imagine that this can ever happen. However, if in Europe politicians are engaged in it basically during election campaigns, in Ukraine "Islamic factor" is used for business promotion.
An article "January Hajj" in December issue of "ТОP-10" magazine was the first signal, in which Dmitry Slukin ("well-known club promoter") praised his new project — opening in the capital in the beginning of the year "Makkah" night club.
Such a name! Moreover, in the blessed month of Zul-Hidzha…
No doubts: opening of the club under this odious name was carefully thought-out and prepared not in one day. To such a conclusion brings the fact that appearing of this humiliating material "January Hajj" "absolutely casually coincided" with returning of Muslims from pilgrimage. Unequivocally, it is not a spontaneous idea: the new issue in editions of magazines is frequently planned for two, and even three months before its publishing.
As though assuming that the club opening will cause a storm of indignation among Muslims, Slukin adds fuel to the fire, "I am always in search of new sensations, in search of hysterics accompanying opening of new club in the city of Kiev, — for the sake of these sensations, probably, I do so".
As soon as plans of the art director Slukin publicly became seen in "ТОP-10", a number of Ukrainian Muslim communities and organizations took active measures, trying to prevent appearing of the night club which name frankly offends feelings of Muslims not only in our country, but all over the world. Everyone knows that in night clubs usually take place such things which are strictly forbidden by the Almighty, such as drinking of alcohol and use of drugs, public exposure of body, gambling, etc. And, for sure, the holy city from which Islam started to extend, where the best of people was born, by definition cannot have something in common with this sort of institutions.
After some time in mass-media appeared information that opening is delayed. It seemed that the owners think out how to avoid the scandal and to develop the deviation plan. But already in the next issue of "TOP-10" is again published the material about the ill-starred club, and its opening is announced on February, 27th, and all interested persons are invited, at last, "to experience new feelings".
In the same issue his opinion on opening of "Makkah" expressed journalist Mustafa Nayem who left the reader in perplexity concerning whom he supports, "Be I on the place of Dmitry Slukin, I would go further and would name one of internal halls of the new institution "Kabba" (author's writing), designing it in the form of a black cube. And the VIP-hall, if it exists, I would name "Medina" (by analogy with the name of the second after Makkah holy city of Muslims). And to "offend" the feelings of the followers of Mohammed altogether, I would give to all Muslims free club cards. However, for this purpose the guys from the face-control have to take additional training for verification of anatomic signs of Muslims on entrance".
And here at the same page is published the reaction of Imam of Kiev Islamic Cultural Centre, Sheikh Imad Abu Al-Rubb: opening of the club named "Makkah" is inadmissible, as it will offend the feelings of believers.
The intrigue went right: everything is beautiful, it worked! There are two confronting parties, the scandal ripens. The club will be known by everyone!
Apparently, the freedom of speech and self-expression has gone too far, and the people similar to slukins ceased to realize and understand, where a limit of the permitted is.
Freedom which rushed over the edge is used to dictate its conditions and interests does not giving a damn for everything, at times spitting in souls, without paying any attention that it humiliates other people.
Freedom is not equal to permissiveness.
Eventually, meetings of representatives of Muslims with the management of the club and reaction of the authorities to numerous references of religious communities and organizations yielded their fruits: the administration was compelled to replace a signboard, having changed the name to "NoName"; journalist Mustafa Nayem publicly apologized to Muslims.
Thus, this event can be considered as a test for Muslims of Ukraine which they, as a result, could overcome adequately, without humiliating themselves and insulting Islam. It is worth to recollect the caution of the Supreme, "Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested?" (The Holy Quran, 29:2). Praise be to the Almighty, that He established Islamic religion and gathered the believing into a uniform community!
On materials of the newspaper "Arraid"
