Last year in November, Russian Grand Mufti’s denial to the media and observer’s allegations dubbing Russian state machinery as “Islam’s number one enemy” must or must not have sink in well with the critics, but there is no deny to the fact that Russian Muslims must be facing some apprehensions from the majority group, and there are good reasons for it.
The Eurasian state Russia is not merely known for its Cold War legacy, it is a state with claims to being the biggest in terms of area, inhabited by over 143 million souls. Although a pluralist secular state, Russia has been tolerantly fostering its three of the oldest religions Christianity, Islam and Buddhism among various minority religions for centuries. Most Christians are descendants to the Slavic race and Muslims are kin to the Turks, so the ethnic division other than belief systems exists in Russia. Islam’s advent in Russia occurred after the 8th century Arab conquests in the region, since then the Muslims have held an important place among minorities of Russia.
Since the Soviet Union’s disintegration in late 1990s, Islam has been witnessed as the fastest growing faith in Russian Federation. This growth is attributed to many events:
- The first reason, for instance, is the fact that the Former Soviet Union being a communist state exercised great control on immigration laws. It was only after Soviet disintegration that the influx of Muslims from former Soviet unions (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan etc) and Middle Eastern countries gave a sudden boost to the strength of Muslims in the region. The immigration laws have been rendered flexibly, despite the concerns over disproportionate ethnic demography. Since in Russia “Flight of Talent” has created a huge vacuum, it can only be filled by seeking services of the capable and skilled immigrants (most of which are Muslims).
- Second factor for the favorable demographic changes with regards to Muslims could be that the native Russian population, which was showing progressive trend before Soviet’s demise, has undergone deep plunge in the post-Soviet world. With high mortality rate, low average life span and decreasing birth rates, the majority Orthodox population is speculated to be on a run for becoming a minority by 2050. Muslims make up over 20 million out of 143 millions state population. It might be an encouraging speculation for the Muslims, but the majority cannot help feeling apprehensive.
- Thirdly, apart from the above mentioned reasons the dip in the Christian numbers and the high birth rates in Muslim communities could be another factor for the rise in Muslim population. Muslims are encouraged by clerics for having many children.
Muslim population is concentrated mostly in the region near Ural Mountains, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Siberia and North Caucasus. The Russian Muslims are said to be having three sects; Sunni, Shea and Sufis, with around 95- 98 % of them following the Sunni teachings. The dubbed “Muslim Renaissance in Russia” is the cause which has resulted in an incredible increase in the Muslim activities. For instance, the number of mosques has risen from mere 300 in early 1990s to 8000 presently, which is no small achievement, notwithstanding the reality that even present number is not sufficiently meeting the demands. Also from 40 in 2001, the number of Russian Muslim pilgrims to the Holy city of Mecca has soared to 20,000 per annum; with under consideration request for raising the quota to 25,000 per year.
It gives every Muslim a twinge of pleasure to come across such encouraging statistics, but one can not overlook the problems that such speculations are causing for the Russian Muslims. Although in general most Russian Muslims are coexisting in mutual harmony with the Christians, there occur minor skirmishes occasionally. These skirmishes may leave in their wake some loses of lives, physical injuries and heartbreaks.
While the politicians and policy makers are worried about the fast changing demographic dynamics, the local Muslim clerics or muftis are assuming the leadership role and are trying to relieve the tensions between the two communities. Imagine yourself are coming face to face with elegantly dressed clean shaven Muslim clerics convincing the poverty stricken, disillusioned Russians masses to embrace Islam. Such young clerics are very much active in bring converts into the fold of Islam. It can be stated as another source of the fast spread of Islam.
The Russian state administration has pretty much reconciled itself to the factual dynamics and is trying to play its part in keeping up with the challenges posed by these changes. Government sanctioned increase in number of mosques, opening of popular halal food outlets and freedom to practice Islamic rituals with due zeal are some of the many measures that the Russian government has been undertaking in order to avert any cause for Muslim alienation.
Muslims in Russia, being still a minority, live in the form of communities. The two Muslim sects, Sunni and Shiaats, mingle freely with the other ethnic groups and mostly there’s an exhibition of mutual respect from all sides. It is only occasionally that the radical forces on either side resort to confrontation. For instance, the demand by Muslims for licensing the construction of more mosques has not been getting a very appreciative response; the Orthodox Christians are opposing it with violence.
Though the liberties granted to Muslims in Russia are better than many Western democracies, there are obstacles hindering this freedom from being rated as 100%. Muslims may, however, respect the Russian pluralism and celebrate Easter and Christmas alongside their Christian brethren, they are not granted leave to observe Eid ul Azha (animal sacrificing ritual) openly. Muslim girls, going for attaining education, face the ban on wearing hajabs (head covering) to educational institutes. I somewhere read about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s dislike for hijab, which pretty much explains the hajab ban. These restrictions seem all the more out of place because of Russia’s professed “secular state” status. Critics of these policies slam them as undemocratic, but then aren’t the other democratic champions following in the same kind of policies?
While Russian Federation is a blooming ground for Muslim demography, the rising radicalism of Christians and government policies, aiming at keeping in check the Muslim influence, are causing disparities among the dominant ethnic groups. The stereo typed mentality prevalent in West labeling every second Muslim as an “extremist” is also a source of discontent. Let’s hope that Moscow learns lessons from its past and gives due liberties to the Muslims, so that there’s no repetition of Pre-Soviet disintegration scenario.
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