For the six consecutive years, the Muslim community have appealed to local authorities for permission to develop land management documents, necessary for the construction of the places of worship and a cultural center.
For the six consecutive years, the Muslim community have appealed to local authorities for permission to develop land management documents, necessary for the construction of the places of worship and a cultural center. The last time this issue was discussed at the regular session of the City Council on April 28, but even at a second vote the required number votes for a positive decision was not collected.
In addition, Secretary of the City Council and its members during the session did not give floor to Sheikh Kazym, who was standing at the podium and asked permission to appeal to the deputies. On his Facebook page this situation was commented by Counselor of Mayor Kateryna Handzyuk: “Today at the session of Kherson City Council several issues of several religious communities were raised. All of them were supported, except the issue of the construction of a cultural center for the community of Muslims of Kherson.
Basically, for me it is no secret that the council members are not knowledgeable in matters of religion, they are not familiar with tolerance, they do not treat equally all believers, actively discriminating against some of them and helping others. "
"... I would like to see if they acted like this towards a Christian priest or a rabbi,” said the Counselor of Mayor.
At the press conference, Sheikh Kazım told the audience that currently about 2 thousand Muslims resided in Kherson, who urgently need the spiritual center. The community performs worship in an ordinary private house.
According to Kherson online edition “Most,” the imam of Muslims of Kherson region said: “I had to blush for a council member, who does not understand the needs of Muslims, in a society where there is no separation by race or religion."
Ms. Handzyuk, who took an active part in preparing and holding the press conferences, informed the public that the mayor's office understands the problem. The mayor promises to make a positive decision, but the council members show their ignorance. “It is unacceptable. The state must guarantee equal opportunities for everybody,” said the Counselor of Mayor.
Despite the current rules under which the issue which was voted on twice, can be considered again only in a year, and the absence of council members at the discussion, Sheikh Kazym and Counselor of Mayor Kateryna Handzyuk hope that the problem will be solved at the May session.