Muslim figures to establish Council of Russian Imams

PanARMENIAN.Net - Muslim figures plan to establish a Council of Russian Imams.

"This initiative belongs to respected Moscow imams. The imams of mosques from all over Russia, as well as authoritative representatives of the Muslim community will be involved in the council's work," lawyer Dagir Khasavov said.

The new council's structure and legal foundation are currently being formulated, Khasavov said.

Its creation could be announced officially after the Eid al-Adha holiday, which will be marked on November 6.

The idea of forming a new Islamic organization has partly been prompted by the demolition of a mosque in Moscow, Khasavov, who earlier initiated a number of lawsuits against Russia's Council of Muftis, said.

"Imams are tired of lies. They are ignored. They feel uncomfortable in front of worshippers," he said.

The lawyer also announced plans to establish an Islamic public organization - a Union of Russian Muslims.

"A lot of Muslims - the Tatar and Caucasus communities - have addressed me. Such an organization is needed. A human rights center will function within this public organization," he said, according to Interfax.