Mintimer Shaimiev believes that to counter extremism it is necessary to elect a single mufti of Russia

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev, in an interview with Arguments and Facts, said that, in his opinion, in order to unite society and counteract various radical movements in Islam, it is necessary to elect a single mufti of Russia. In this regard, he referred to the experience of the region he leads. "Unification was achieved in Tatarstan after a single mufti was elected, with whom state and public structures work. In the Russian Federation, I consider it necessary to do the same," M. Shaimiev said. In his opinion, "only a coordinating center can carry out purposeful work to build a system of religious education based on the Russian traditions of tolerant Islam."

The President of Tatarstan also warned against the "demonization" of Islam and stressed that in a democracy there are always people who hold radical views, but it is important that they cannot find social support for themselves. According to M. Shaimiev, this is how things are in Tatarstan: "Tatar theology has created a very" soft "form of Islam, and we rely on these traditions in teaching Islam in religious educational institutions. The Russian Islamic University in Kazan is called upon to continue these traditions." "Radically-minded young people," said M. Shaimiev, were in the republic, but left - "some - to Chechnya, some - to Afghanistan."

President of Tatarstan opposes the demonization of Islam // Blagovest-info. 2004. November 22.

Sources

• M. Shaimiev proposes to elect a single mufti of Russia // Islam.Ru. 2004. November 22.