17:49, 10 December 2004

Press conference on rights of Moslems in Russia

The press conference "The Power and Rights of Moslems: Problems and Outlook" has been held today at the Independent Press Center. "Society's negative mood for Moslems has been felt in recent years," Mamma Mammayev, deputy chairman of the Defense Committee, State Duma deputy for Dagestan and president of the Moslems Against Terrorism foundation, said opening the conference. "And it is understandable since 99% of terrorists are Moslems. However the distinction between religion and politics must be found. There are radical trends in all religions, but the mass media do not report for some reason that skinheads beat and kill people from the Caucasus."

Deputy chairman of Russian muftis, human rights activist Ismail Khazrat Shengereev said that Moslems are often denied employment, their rights are often infringed upon in educational institutions. Islamic human rights activists are dissatisfied with society's attitude towards Moslem women since recently they have been made get out of busses and planes on suspicion of preparing terror attacks more frequently.

Author: Emilia Kazumova, CK correspondent