NORM calls on law enforcement agencies to assess opposition to the construction of a mosque in Voronezh

The National Organization of Russian Muslims (NORM) reacted to the statement of the secretary of the Voronezh diocesan administration, Hegumen Andrei (Tarasov), who spoke out against the construction of a mosque in Voronezh. NORM called on law enforcement agencies to give an appropriate assessment to this statement, and the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church - "clearly express their position and punish the 'radicals', whose actions discredit the prestige of a legally operating confession."

NORM sees in the abbot's statement "a return to the monopoly of the Russian Orthodox Church in spiritual life" and believes that the opposition to the construction of the mosque by the Voronezh diocese "clearly went beyond the framework of the legislation in force in Russia and the declarations of church leaders on religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue."

Sources

• Russian Muslims for a legal solution to the situation in Voronezh // Islam.ru. 2005. March 3.