Kemerovo Muslims are outraged by the interference of officials in the internal affairs of communities

The leaders of the Muslim parishes, which are part of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Asian part of Russia and the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims, signed an appeal to the Governor of the Kemerovo Region A. Tuleev.

The appeal, in particular, says: "Some officials from the regional administration, using your authority, impose on the Muslim communities as the so-called single leader a certain A. Shakirzyanov, a resident of not our region. This is presented as a request from one of the head of the local religious organization in the city of Kiselevsk, while his ignorance of the situation in the muftiats (centralized religious organizations) of Russia is clearly used.

Such actions are a direct violation of the Federal Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations", which states that the Russian Federation is a secular state and does not interfere in the activities of religious associations, and also emphasizes that organizations themselves create and carry out their activities in accordance with their their own hierarchical and institutional structure, select, appoint and replace their staff according to their own regulations (Article 4, paragraphs 1,2,5). These actions destabilize the situation, disrupt the calm situation that has developed in the Kemerovo region.

Our leaders (muftis) were chosen at Muslim congresses, and local religious organizations in our region have already decided on the choice of their leaders when registering their communities with the justice authorities.

In connection with the above, we ask you to protect us from the arbitrariness of officials in imposing any new muftis."

The head of the Muslim organization "Healthy Life" Salavat Kuchumov announced the preparations for a "formal vote", on the eve of which A. Shakirzyanov, accompanied by one of the officials of the regional administration, travels around Muslim communities in order to "process" them.

Sources

• Administrative resource is used for discord in Kemerovo communities // islamnews. 2006. May 30.