Press Release
(أَتَأْمُرُونَ النَّاسَ بِالْبِرِّ وَتَنسَوْنَ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَتْلُونَ الْكِتَابَ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ)
“Would you order people to do good deeds and forget to do them yourselves even though you read the Book? Why do you not think? [2:44]

On 16 August 2014 Deputy Mufti of Crimea Esadullah Bairov reported to the site "Krim.Realii" that the Director of Dzhankoy Madrasah would appear before the court in Crimea. During the search in the religious educational institution, they found the books from the so-called "list of extremist literature", banned in Russia. He said that because of the found books, they drew up the protocol on an administrative offense and the case would be sent to the Dzhankoy court for the possession and mass distribution of literature. However, what happened earlier was all the more surprising, namely the statement of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea (SAMC).

According to the statement of SAMC, to protect co-religions, out of the big federal list of banned literature they chose the material, related to Islam, and published on the official website. The press service of SAMC informs: "The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea informs Muslim religious organizations, priesthood, Muslim public that on the territory of Crimea the federal list of banned extremist literature begins to function. Distribution, manufacture or possession of the materials specified in the list are prohibited and entails responsibility". Moreover, commenting on the last few weeks inspections and searches of Muslim following buildings, Islamic educational institutions, private houses of the priesthood to ensure that they had banned Islamic literature, the other Deputy Mufti of Crimea Ayder Ismailov answered: "Now, of course, it will be wrong to apply any sanctions towards the Muslims of Crimea, who are faced with the prohibition of any literature, it will be a violation of the Muslims".

It is clear when the Muslims learned of the anti-Islamic laws from the intelligence forces and politicians, but it is not clear when the representatives of the Muslims spoke on behalf of the authorities. It is through the SAMC the Muslims knew of the "banned literature" and about the searches, as if the authorities were checking the muftis' position. Even a hint of a principle agreement with these lists has already paved the way for repression. Your response indicates your agreement with the Russian anti-Islamic policy. But should such a position be among those who represent Muslims and speak on behalf of Islam? If earlier you had never thought about a "banned list", now you would easily agree, now saying it would be "wrong" to impose sanctions. And since 2015, when the repressive legislation will officially come into force, apparently it will be right? Truly, the Muslims of Crimea do not deserve such "care" to be periodically informed about the expansion of the list, as muftis stated about this.

O, imams! What keeps you from the words and deeds in defense of Islam? Will you indulge in an anti-Islamic policy of Russia instead of protecting the interests of Islam and the Ummah?!

Allah (swt) said:

(فَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ وَمَنْ تَابَ مَعَكَ وَلا تَطْغَوْا إِنَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ وَلا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لا تُنْصَرُونَ)

"So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah], and do not transgress. Indeed, He is Seeing of what you do. And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allah any protectors; then you would not be helped" [Hud: 112]

Be aware that the raids in the past few weeks - it is a test and an ordeal from Allah (swt). Also be aware that if you do not take the rightful position, they will use you until you finally go to the side of Taghut. The saddest part for you is if your tacit agreement will lead to suffering of the Muslims. From your position depends on many issues, if you do not support the powers in the anti-Islamic struggle they will not take a step. So do not betray the interests of the Ummah and do not be a footing of Taghut, rather than to be the footing of the Muslims and Islam!

Just look at least at those sincere Muslim girls from the Mordovian village of Belozer'e, who were only school girls, but they were not afraid to say "no" to hijab ban.

Despite the fact that led to the arrival of the Deputy Chief of Administration of the Republic of Mordovia's Head and other senior officials at the "parent" meeting, it did not affect the school girls' decision who were ready to quit studying in favor of wearing what Allah (swt) ordered. Do you want to assign on them this relentless struggle with the whole state machine, that wanted to rip hijabs from the young righteous girls?! There is nothing more worthy to occupy Shariah position, then Insha'Allah help and victory will come.

Shariah requires from you to speak the word of justice to an unjust ruler, or at least to remain silent and to hate it with your heart in accordance with the words of the Prophet (pbuh):

«مَن رَأى مِنكُم مُنكَرَاً فَليُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَستَطعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَستَطعْ فَبِقَلبِه وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الإيمَانِ»

"Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest of faith." (Muslim)

Oh, imams! Your choice is limited: either serve to the interests of the ruler and holding on to this life only to lose the next one, or find the courage to say and do only what is in the interest of Islam and the Ummah. And only by the second, you will deserve love of Allah (swt), respect of your co-religions and feel the sweetness of faith without the impurities of hypocrisy. Be aware that the Muslims look at you and will testify for or against you.

Allah (swt) says:

(وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّـهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ ۗ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّـهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا مُّبِينًا)

"It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error" [33:36].

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Russia