No Islamic Extremism In Ukraine

In connection with the anniversary of the tragedy on September 11th 2001 the Ukrainian Inter- Regional Muslim Association of Social Organizations Arraid has arranged a press conference, to which Muslims, secular academics and journalists, government representatives as well as representatives of Islamic and Christian clergy were invited. At the conference, everyone agreed that the identification of Islam with terrorism — completely inconsistent with international law — is absent from Ukraine.

As Ashur Faruk, the president of Arraid, said, ‘not only state bodies, but Ukrainian society as well has displayed eternal wisdom and discretion by not giving in to the emotions overwhelming some countries and foreign media outlets. As a result, relations between Christians and Muslims in Ukraine have not deteriorated and tolerance and cooperation prevails in society.” At the meeting, assurances were also given that in Ukraine not one Muslim organization is linked with Islamic extremism and in particular those of Osama Bin Laden.

September 11th also caused speculation on the theme of ‘the 21st century as a century of clashes of civilizations’. However, there is not a single piece of evidence or a direct historical analogy to back up this thesis. Therefore Muslims have to be more active in informing the people who live around them more about Islam and the fact that Islam has a lot in common with Eastern religions. At the Crimean Institute of Oriental Studies an impartial study of historical Islam is being carried out to be published in a scientific publication, which will provide society with a scientific rather than a popular or sensational approach to the problem.

Sheik Abupub Imad of the Islamic Social Cultural Centre devoted his speech to the apologia of Islam as a religion, as ‘a way of justice and generosity’. He said that Islam had ruled in a considerable part of world for nearly 1300 years, but had not destroyed a single nation and no one had turned by force in their religion.

“The Islamic world condemns ‘black Tuesday’”, he said. “We are, however, fully aware that no irrefutable evidence or information exists that would testify against Islam as a religion of peace. And as far as the USA is concerned, one cannot be a participant in a conflict, the judge and executioner all at the same time.”

(Everyone has their own vision of history, especially the history of their religion. I would like to remind you that the majority of world religions believe their own religion of the world and that not one civilization has lived in accordance with the laws of its own religion. Christianity is no exception. Is it possible to blame the teachings of Christ for countless wars, which have taken place in the Western world for the last 2000 years? A great deal may also be said about the ‘peaceful’ history of Islamic states, especially in the period of their formation and spread around the world —K.G.)

Mr. Vifcheslav Shved of the National Security Council of Ukraine has reported that an estimated 1.2 to 2 million Muslims live in Ukraine and that in Crimea they make up 13% of the population. The Muslim population of our country is the 5th largest in Europe. Moreover, it is the only country in Europe in which Muslims have historical roots. (Not taking into account the Pyrenean peninsula, of course —K.G.). Mr. Shved dwelled on another extremely difficult and important problem. Today Ukraine has become a transit point for illegal Muslim migrants from the Caucases and the Middle East, moving to countries in the west. The monitoring, arrest, detention and return of illegal aliens demands considerable resources from Ukraine. “We are forced to ask for help from the EU, particularly in the development of borders,” he said.

We refer also to the participation of a guest from Russia Mr. Viacheslav Polosin Ali Sergeyevich, whose adoption of Islam in its time caused a considerable stir in the Russian media. Today he is an adviser to the Council of Muftis of Russia and Director of the Department of Relations between the State and Islam. In the opinion of Mr. Polosin, the events of September 11th 2001 have been extremely advantageous for the USA, and all American policies of the last year are only camouflage for the struggle for Middle Eastern oil as support for the shaky dollar. On the whole, it boils down to the slyness of world Zionism, he claimed. Thus the people of Russia don’t sympathize with the tragedy in America. On the contrary, a great deal of people, including some Orthodox circles, even gloat over the misfortunes of others, and were not shocked by the events then. And, moreover, he noted, absolutely all accusations against Islam and the Koran are groundless.

As for this statement, it is appropriate to mention the opinion that Pope John Paul II expressed the other day: “Violence and disrespect for human life cannot be justified, but where the right of man is not respected, where injustice and oppression exists, latent hatred and violence fly out from the surface. World communities must understand the reasons forcing people to become victims of temptation and of revenge at any cost.”