Russian Council of Muftis condemns "Stop Haram" project

Nafigulla Ashirov, Co-Chair of the Council of Muftis of Russia and Supreme Mufti of the Asian part of Russia, is sceptical about the idea of “educating Muslims in the way shown in the ‘Stop Haram’ programme."

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the first issue of "Stop Haram" project was released on March 1 on the "Alif TV" Channel on the YouTube. The programme shows the native of Chechnya Ismail Ismailov in Moscow approaching different people and reproaching them of drinking alcohol or smoking in public places.

"So far, I’ve seen no good, as well as no apparent harm in this programme. In my opinion, this video will have no real impact on the Muslims, to whom the author of the project is addressing in Moscow streets. The hero of the report is a drunken man, any talking with whom is senseless. I fear that such stories will just strengthen the general negativity that people associate with our religion, without the help of Muslims themselves," Nafigulla Ashirov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Albir Krganov, the Mufti of Moscow, has also criticized the project.

"It's a not quite clear initiative. I think it will lead to conflicts, especially if it starts being spread into regions. If every confession starts pestering passers-by in streets, trying to persuade them, what we’ll generally get? How can that be taken in a secular state?" the “Ren-TV” quotes him as saying on March 1.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.