Muslims are not persecuted in occupied Donbas areas

In the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions Muslims generally are not abusedand militants treat them neutrally.

It was reported in an interview with Radio Liberty by mufti of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Ukraine “Ummah” Said Ismagilov.

“Muslims of Luhansk and Donetsk are basically not abused. I do not know what the reason is for that. Perhaps it is because Islam is the officially recognized state religion or they are not regarded as “US Department’s agents” or becausethere are many Muslims from the Caucasus and other regions of Russia among militants,” he said.

According to Mufti, the attitude towards Muslims in occupied territory is now balanced.

“It does not compare with the attitude to Protestants and Orthodox of the Kyiv Patriarchate. As for the Muslims, there is no selective persecution on religious grounds,” said the clergyman.

Mufti Said Ismagilov also said that Muslims managed to keep their property in the occupied territories.

“The fact that the religious property is often registered on the balance sheet of local religious communities. Periodically, they are instructed what to do. Representatives of the so-called “DNR” say that they are about to develop a code, and they will need to re-register underthe regulations adopted in the occupied territory. However, when the faithful askunder what regulatory framework, under which laws it would be carried out, they get no specific answers. And now the property of the Muslim community remains in the hands of the Muslim community,”stresses the mufti.