Ravil Gainutdin: migrants need to form an appropriate pattern of behavior

The construction of  mosques is one of the factors that prevents the

penetration of radical and destructive ideas in the Muslim migrants'

circles in Russia and doctrines and helps maintain good interethnic

and interfaith relations, the chairman of the Council of Muftis

of Russia, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, said.

"It is vital to form appropriate behaviour patterns among labour migrants

- both external and internal, the more so because ideas and teachings,

sometimes destructive and dangerous, also migrate with people,"

Gainutdin was quoted by RIA Novosti.

According to Gainutdin, this task can be undertaken in the mosques, which

from the first centuries of Islamic history was not only a room for

prayers, but was a social, educational and scientific center of Muslim

life. Today, the social function of the mosque is very important - it

is not only about spiritual guidance, but also about forming a

worldview and life orientation, Gainutdin said.

He believes that  the fight against religious extremism in Russia

isthe competence of law enforcement agencies only, but warned of

possible attempts to transfer the radical ideas from abroad to the

Russian soil.

"Are there actually criminal radical groups in the Volga region, the

Urals or Siberia ? This question must be answered by  security

agencies. Due to active migration, geopolitical factors, they should

be prepared for the fact that the forces hostile tp Russian Muslims

and the government  will seek to bring destructive ideology to our

soil", said Gainutdin.

"Increasing religiosity among youth and mobility - these are the two

features of our time. People in search of a better share for

themselves actively move within their own country and in other

countries. Young men, cut off from their traditional environment, with

its foundations, in a strange city looking for new support for

themselves. Naturally, they look for a mosque, " he added..

"The virus of radicalism and extremism, as shown by the events of

recent months, can be received through the Internet", said Gainutdin.

"If social fabric is strong and solid as a single body, the body will

reject any destructive course as something alien. But in the case of

discord, ulcers will eat away the body of society from within. That is

why we have always called against alienatation and against using the

threat of extremism and terrorism in personal accounts ", -concluded

the Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia.