Events unfolding in Syria, Ukraine and North Caucasus have common causes

The head of the International Islamic Mission, Mufti Shafig Pshikhachyov, believes that the events unfolding in Syria, Ukraine and the North Caucasus have common causes. According to the spiritual leader, radical Islamism is nothing but a political tool.

Extremism is a certain kind of ideology. Extremism today, for instance Islamic extremism, uses religious slogans. That is why there's talk about a certain Islamic extremism or Islamism. The head of the Dagestani republic has recently pointed that out. I believe that extremism is just a matter of politics. I think it's nothing but a political tool. I guess extremism emerges in cases of social transformation as a protest. It's a reaction to changes in values. If we touch upon the history of the Islamic world, we will realize that Islamic civilization has a great cultural, political, scientific and religious heritage. As for me, radical Islamism is simply a political phenomenon. The events in the Middle East and North Africa prove that. In the 90s the Islamist movement in the Caucasus was caused by the fact that the people (as well as in Soviet times) had no chance to practise their religion openly and proudly. However, the situation in modern Libya and Syria is quite different. These countries are now facing a real tragedy. These societies were free to practise their religions. That is why I believe that Islamism is a matter of politics solely.

What can be done? Of course one should promote tolerance. Education, including religious education, is a key. The world is lacking this kind of approach. Religious values are core for many people. The point is not to force people to visit temples, churches and Mosques, but to treat other people in accordance with religious law.