Ali Vyacheslav Polosin became the first deputy chairman of NORM

Islam-Info news agency reports that "Chairman of the National Organization of Russian Muslims (NORM) Abu-Talib Stepchenko (Omsk) held consultations with Russian Muslims who are members of other organizations in order to overcome misunderstandings and reach agreement on the main thing."

"NORM united Muslims with different political preferences and included in the most diverse currents within Islam - both Shiism, and Sunnism of traditional maskhabs, and Salafism, and Sufism," the agency notes. "The only criterion is the compliance of members of the NORM with the Koran and the Sunnah Some deviations towards radical nationalism that took place in the past have been overcome.

Only extremism (the so-called 'jihadism'), occultism and other deviations from the traditional, basic norms of Islamic dogma are excluded. It is recognized that public intra-Muslim "showdowns" are considered unacceptable.

As a result of the negotiations and reforms, the NORM was replenished with new members, and Ali Vyacheslav Polosin, known for his moderate views, was elected as the first deputy chairman.

Sources

• Russian Muslims are getting stronger // IA "Islam-Info". 2006. February 6.