Muslims of Crimea Protest Against Sprinkling Schoolchildren With Holy Water

The Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Crimea protested against sprinkling junior pupils of a school in Simferopol with holy water, reported liga.net with reference to the press service of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Crimea.  

Representatives of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Crimea reported that the sprinkling was administered by an Orthodox priest on occasion of the Easter in a school where both Christians and Muslims study.

According to the representatives of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Crimea, the sprinkling can be viewed as imposing of Christian rituals on Muslim children which is unacceptable.

In view of the above, the Mufti of the Muslims of the Crimea, Khadzhi Emirali Ablaev sent an address to the Minister of Education and Science, Youth and Sports of the Crimea, Vitalina Dzoz and Metropolitan Lazar of Simferopol and the Crimea.

“It is widely known that sprinkling with holy water is used in the baptism which makes a person a member of the Church. Holy water is also used to consecrate church buildings and all liturgical objects and dwelling houses,” reads the address.

According to the Mufti, such facts can lead to inter-religious confrontation and, therefore, he has called to stop such actions and instruct  administrators of schools and kindergartens accordingly.