Inter-confessional dialogue is the insurance of a strong state

Islam is developing in Chechnya more intensively than in any other region of Russia. In Grozny they think that you couldn’t beat extremism and consolidate society through economic measures only, and they hope that religion can make people tolerant and fair. The chairman of the Spiritual Directorate of the Muslims of Chechnya, Sultan Mirzayev, discussed the theme with VK.

-       What role can religion play in the moral cleanup of a person?

-       Religion can play the most important and crucial role in the spiritual-moral education and cleanup of a person. I think, if a person doesn’t believe, it is difficult to live with him. For example, Islam is a religion of peace and construction. Faithful Muslims have to develop spiritually and morally. Even Allah praised his prophet in the Koran: “Oh, Muhammad! I made you one of the most moral people.” Our prophet said that in heaven the closest people to him would be those who were most moral and devout in life. Islam makes respect for parents and elderly people important. To disobey one's parents is a big sin in Islam. Once the prophet said that a young man, who doesn’t respect his elders, doesn’t belong to his umma (community). The older Muslims have to set young people on the right path, especially if they do something wrong.

-       What is the role of religious activists in the development of society?

-       It is well-known that in Chechnya development of religious life is a high priority. Today religious institutes and organizations cooperate with the government. The Spiritual Directorate of Chechnya gains the support of the authorities, while we work on improving the image of religious activists, for they should be respected in society. The Spiritual Directorate provides educational work in all educational institutions, including kindergartens. We are working with young people who do not work and live in the countryside. Reading lectures to them, we hear smart questions from them, and it is unexpected. They try to understand religious aspects, they are interested in the theme. It is important that a tutor should be righteous and just. Unfortunately, in Russia the problem of Muslims is Muslims themselves. Sometimes people deal with businesses which may not lie within their duties. Young people react negatively to that, and I understand this. A young man is like a fresh spring. Many human drawbacks appear with growing up. We, adults, should develop personally. I think we will succeed in it.

-       Please, say something about common values in the three most popular world religions?

-       All confessions of Russia recognize common prophets – Jesus, or Isa, is one of Islam's prophets. All three religions are monotheistic. None of them calls for murder, fighting between religions, or inter-confessional hatred. They call for kindness and construction, mutual respect and tolerance. Islam is not an exception. God forbids the murder of innocent people, and an innocent victim is equal to the murder of the whole of humanity.

-       What is the role of inter-confessional cooperation in maintaining peace?

-       A person is not raised by concepts which he creates. Every religion has a moral side and rules for raising a person. Inter-confessional cooperation should be of the highest priority. A lot depends on religion. If we want to have a strong country, we should have permanent cooperation. Inter-confessional dialogue guarantees a strong state. Unfortunately, some religious activists are passive, and their shallow view on serious problems could lead to unpredictable consequences. There are harmful videos about setting young people against each other. We should hold meetings and forums to prevent it. Islam teaches us a respectful attitude to people of various confessions. The Prophet Muhammad respected Christians and Jews. In 2005 the government allocated money for reconstruction of city mosques and the Archangel Mikhail Church in Grozny.

-       Is it a sin to be involved in inter-ethnic and inter-confessional conflicts?

-       The person who is the reason for such conflicts may be blamed for all the victims who suffer in the conflicts, even if people suffer from a word. It is a sin to spread rumors, to lie. The Koran says that if you spread hatred it can kill thousands of people. A faithful Muslim, who loves Allah, would never kill a person of any confession or rob him.

Interview by Timur Utsoyev, Grozny. Exclusively to VK