Conflict between deacon Andrei Kuraev and Islamic human rights activist Ismagil Shangareev

Speaking once again during the concert of the Alisa group, Deacon Andrei Kuraev used expressions that the director of the Islamic Human Rights Center Ismagil-Khazrat Shangareev regarded as anti-Islamic. In his statement, a member of the Council of Muftis of Russia, Ismagil Shangareev, wrote that " " Kuraev and" Alisa "talk about uniting only Russians and Orthodox, sweeping aside other nationalities and followers of other beliefs .

Deacon Andrei Kuraev expressed bewilderment at such an assessment and quoted his speech at the concert verbatim. It is clear what words Shangareev meant:

"*...we can openly, in the center of the city, admit that "the sky of the Slavs boils in our veins."

But in that Russia, from which half a century later you will leave - will such songs, such words be able to sound openly? Or will completely different melodies be heard from the minaret of the sea mosque of Kronstadt? It depends on you whether Russia or the "United Moscow Emirates" will be here in a generation.

You see, the one who drinks too much today or pulls himself apart in doses, kills not only himself - he kills Russia as well. The one who refuses children, reproducing an idiotic proverb - "why create poverty!" - breeds slaves. If in Russian families, in your families, there will be one child each, then your grandchildren will become a minority in the country that was once ours * ".

In his comment Andrey Kuraev said:

" Ismagil-khazrat Shangareev was offended that we would not welcome the transformation of the Naval Cathedral into a sea mosque, and Russia into the Moscow Emirates. A strange insult - does he really have such plans?" .

It can be assumed that Ismagil Shangareev has no such plans, but it seemed wrong to him that Deacon Kuraev considers Russia a country of ethnic Russians or Orthodox, and not of all citizens, including Muslims. But Deacon Kuraev himself did not suggest such an interpretation.

Sources

• The appeal of Deacon Kuraev at the concert "Alisa" caused a mixed reaction. What was said // Business News Agency. 2004. July 20.