Islamic News

The Union of Muslims of Kazakhstan is firmly on the protection of Islam – Politics – News

scandal broke out recently in connection with a court decision to ban Astana audio recordings of some verses of the Qur’an provoked violent protests among Muslims in Russia and the CIS, and drawing attention to the situation of Islam in Kazakhstan. Their evaluation of the judicial authorities of the republic and gave a non-governmental organization Union of Muslims of Kazakhstan (QMS). Chairman of the Union Murat Telibekov in an interview with several media, said: “It is beyond comprehension. A ban on these verses – the same thing as a ban on the Koran. As a result, active position of Muslims of Kazakhstan and Russia, the Ministry of Justice had to explain that the extremist recognized not for their own verses, and comments to him by unknown persons. His point of view on this incident “Fergane.Ru” in an interview on the activities and work of the SMC described the vice-president of the Union, deputy director of the Muslim Committee for Human Rights in Central Asia Kurbangali Yunusov.

Ferghana.Ru: – Kurbangali Nurkeevich, please tell me when it was created by the QMS and that is today is the organization?

K. Yunusov: – Officially, the QMS was registered in April 2004. This is a non-governmental organization, one of whose priorities is to create a positive image of Islam and the conduct of counter-propaganda against the defamation of Islam, which from time to time appears in the world media. In such publications is built associative series: “Islam – bearded – automatic – terrorism.” All its activities, respect for the culture, history and traditions, we aim to show that Muslims – that people with culture and education, striving to destroy the bias against Islam, which is in the media. We do not claim to whatever it is that the mullahs, and we turn to that which the mullahs, for objective reasons can not devote enough attention.

– who share a Union?

– potentially – all citizens of Kazakhstan, who consider themselves Muslims. We do not have a personal membership. The control of QMS – Bureau headed by President Murat Telibekovym, a prominent writer and journalist. In each region of Kazakhstan we have our own representatives, so we are actively working.

– Could you give specific examples of the Union?

– Islam, like all traditional religions, condemns the homosexual movement. When not so long ago, they decided to hold in Alma-Ata, gay pride parade, they supported a number of public organizations, and the QMS was the only one who spoke strongly against this. We had a few shares and press conferences to make it clear to homosexuals that we will not allow a parade. And they wisely turned their actions.

– And how do QMS formed relations with the official spiritual structures?

– We are open for cooperation with all organizations and social forces. As I said, we try not to meddle in religious affairs, which are the competence of the mullahs. The Supreme Mufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (DUM) Kazakhstan Absattar-Hadji Derbisali we treat with respect. He – a former diplomat and scholar, by the will of Allah became the mufti of the republic. But sometimes there is misunderstanding, because we – non-governmental organization, and criticize any errors of any figures, in particular, errors DUM. Naturally, this causes resentment. In 2005, the MRB file a claim with the requirement to eliminate our organization, but they were refused. We are ready to act together, because the problem we are the same – that Kazakhstan has always been peace and harmony, and the rights of Muslims – are respected.

– By the way, on rights of Muslims. The latest scandal from the Qur’anic surahs and the active position of your organization show that not everything is in order in this area. You are the deputy director of the Muslim Committee for Human Rights in Central Asia. How often do you turn to for help Muslims, whose rights are violated?

– quite often. We ourselves are not engaged in processes, and provide legal advice. This is my direct responsibility, because I – a former judge, in recent years the practice of law and jurisprudence, as they say, my diocese. Here is one recent example. In one of the schools of South Kazakhstan region at the beginning of this academic year girl banned from appearing in class wearing the hijab (headdress with musalmanok. – Comm. Ed.) Motivated by the fact that this type of clothing does not fit with the accepted in school uniforms . Act, formally prohibited from going to the secular school wearing the hijab, no, so we have publicly defended the girl. The conflict was settled, and she received permission to wear the hijab.

Before the court often does not reach. Here, for example, in 2008 we, together with the municipality (administration) Astana intended to hold an international conference “Islam in the twenty-first century: the problem of religious extremism everywhere, sent a joint letter. However, the day before the conference akimat unilaterally withdraw from the commitments and announced the cancellation of events, without providing any explanation. We threatened to sue the administration, as a result of its representatives approached us with a request to allow the whole business world, explaining that there was an annoying misunderstanding. We have made verbal apologies.

– The inhabitants of other countries in the region treated in Muslim Committee for Human Rights in Central Asia?

– Yes, such cases were, but not yet developed a mechanism to provide legal assistance. Let me explain what I mean. Do you remember the summer riots in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China? We were on the side of innocently offended. The Uighur people have a long history, he had his own state, and that today he can not realize themselves, causes us deep concern. But apart from moral support, we can not give them any assistance, as well as inter-governmental agreements – not in our jurisdiction. Between Kazakhstan and China signed a declaration on extradition of terrorists, and when our authorities are asked to grant Uighurs in Almaty and has, according to the Chinese authorities’ attitude to unrest, Kazakhstan is obliged to give him up. The law is the law, there’s nothing to be done, and help this man, we can not, because it is not a citizen of Kazakhstan.

– Let’s go back to the scandal around the ban Koranic SUR Court of Astana. How do you assess it?

– We view this incident as a provocation, or, if you speak softly, the usual “gaffe”, which is blown up to heaven, not our most loyal friends . Islamic state, namely the so-Kazakhstan presents itself (K. Yunusov, apparently has in mind that Islam in Kazakhstan is the dominant religion. In fact, Kazakhstan is presenting itself as a secular state. – Comm. Ed.) Will never allow itself to anti-Islamic gestures such as the one attributed to him. Competent authorities have reported this directly. Union of Muslims of Kazakhstan is concerned about such close attention to this tortured moment, which does not dye our friends, if they are real friends and our brothers. In the world enough other problems, which ought to apply the energy that unnecessarily spent some Islamic patriots in Russia. Instead of asking, what happened, made a real camarilla. I hope that the Muslims of Kazakhstan, Russia and the Muslims – not so long ago the citizens of one state – will find a more noble purpose for the use of its vigorous energy.

– What do you personally find themselves in the QMS?

– I proceed from the principle, which formulated the U.S. President John F. Kennedy: “We must put the question, not that I would give America, and I can give America. ” Similarly, the work I did: “not that I would give the QMS, but what can I do for QMS».

First, I have certain baggage legal knowledge and experience work, I am responsible for all legal matters, I try to help those who are drawn to our organization to protect their rights. Secondly, I get a great moral satisfaction in the fact that the activities of the QMS and my modest contribution to it contributes to the popularity of Islam in Kazakhstan. Despite occasional excesses, the overall situation of Islam in the republic is favorable. Much of the population is Muslim, the president is positioning himself as a Muslim. We do not have any problems, but representatives of other faiths can not complain that their rights are infringed. Working in the country numerous temples. In Astana is a beautiful palace of Concord, where always happy to representatives of Judaism, Buddhism, Orthodox Church and other denominations. The task of our Union to Kazakhstan believers could safely practice their religion, and developed inter-religious dialogue.

Interviewed by Alex Starostin