The issue of religion and war is extremely important for Crimean Tatars, - Mufti Rustemov

Mufti of the Religious Administration of Muslims of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Ayder Rustemov told this in an interview with ZN.UA.

"When there is a full-scale invasion all over Ukraine, when soldiers break into your home and rape children and women, people start to rethink everything," he said when asked if the role of followers of Islam in the war has changed since February.

According to the Mufti, now many more Crimean Muslims are participating in the war. Some of them are fighting in the special unit "Crimea" under the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine in the east of the country. In addition, there is a battalion that consists of former soldiers of the Noman Celebijikhan unit.

"I do not mention the number and names of commanders intentionally so as not to expose people to additional danger. But since February 24, the degree of involvement of Crimean Tatars in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other Defense Forces has significantly increased," aider Rustemov said.

Speaking about the religious dimension for Muslims who went to defend Ukraine, he notes that this is not the dominant factor. It is more important for individuals. The choice of the Crimean Tatars was more influenced by the occupation of the peninsula.

"People who did not accept the status quo left the peninsula, abandoned their property and relatives there to fight the occupation," the Mufti stressed.