Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea outraged by oppression from Russian invaders

Massive violations of law and freedom of people and their religion discrimination by Russian security forces are unacceptable and must be ended immediately,” the Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea (SMMC) states.

A document with RAMU’s appeal to the leadership of power structures of the occupation authorities was published on the official website of the organization after one of the Crimean villages was raided on May 6, 2016 to verify the documents of Muslims, who were in the mosque.

During the raid, the Russian security forces detained more than a hundred Crimean Tatars in the mosque at prayer.

Local Muslims reported to the Crimean Muftiyat that law enforcement officials requested the documents confirming identity from Muslims. Those believers who had no documents to hand were captured and forcibly detained in the district office of Simferopol occupational police. After the identification procedure they were released.

The Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea and Sevastopol requested the law enforcement agencies to clarify the incident in the mosque of Molodizhne village. The Crimean Muftiyat was told they “conducted a planned raid of Federal Migration Service to check compliance with migration legislation of Russia.”

The fact that the security forces have chosen Friday prayers for such event and broke into the Muslim holy place outraged members of the Religious Administration of Muslims.

“In turn, we appeal to law enforcement officers that any raids on compliance checks held by them would not violate civil rights, and would not hurt the feelings of believers. We also call on compatriots to be attentive to themselves and one another. Two years ago, the Crimean Tatars joined the large Muslim community of the Russian Federation; therefore, mosques can be attended by different people, apart from believers, who are far from faith, far from Almighty Allah. And they are not always well-meaning. Therefore, we, the Crimean Muslims should be united spiritually and preserve peace on our land without letting undermine peace and tranquility in Crimea,” RAMC has said.