Crimean Muslims Call Police to Find Mosque Attackers

In the early morning of December 1, unknown persons attacked a guard at the site of construction of the Assembly Mosque at 22 Yaltynska Street in Simferopol. The unknown persons threw bottles with a combustible mixture into the building where the guard stayed. The Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Crimea considers this fact another manifestation of xenophobia against the adherents of Islam on the peninsula.

The official report published on the website of the Board describes the attack as a “provocation of certain forces which do not want stability and peaceful coexistence on our peninsula. Attempts are constantly made to provoke conflict in the Crimea. Regular desecration of Muslim graves, an encroachment on the Muslim shrines are the evidence.” The address was signed by Mufti of Crimea, Khadzhi Emirali Ablaev.

The police are more restrained in their comments. According to the information of the Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Crimean Autonomous Republic, no one was injured during the incident. Necessary investigation steps are being taken.

The attack of the mosque coincided with the attack by representatives of “Russian Unity” of Tatar unauthorized buildings near the settlement Molodizhne not far from Simferopol on December 1.