Chief of Staff of the Council of Muftis of Russia Kharis Hazrat Saubyanov is against state interference in the process of religious education, but for its financial support

On July 16 , commenting on the intention of the French authorities to put religious (Islamic) education under state control, Kharis Hazrat Saubyanov, head of the apparatus of the Council of Muftis of Russia, spoke out categorically against such ideas. "There are numerous canonical issues that only the denomination itself has the right to decide," he said, emphasizing that "Russian Islamic organizations are interested in cooperation with local and federal government agencies to conduct a joint religious and educational process among the country's population."

At the same time, he believes that it will be possible to prevent negative influence on Russian Muslims from outside only with the active assistance of the state, "including financial."

Sources

• Shestakov E. The Imam's Pope: The French State Will Teach Muslim Clerics Itself // News. 2003. July 16.