Last Week in the News

A group of 600 mothers of middle schoolers in Tatarstan filed a complaint with the Russian education minister concerning the preference of Tatar over Russian education in the Republic. The complaint stated that in Tatarstan, schoolchildren only have 1200 hours of Russian-language education as compared to the rest of the Federation, where children receive 1700 hours. This letter has caused quite the stir, not only in Tatarstan, where the national language is Tatar, but elsewhere in the Russian Federation as well. Most interestingly, a number of the signatories of the letter are Tatars themselves, who state that learning Tatar is "useless." This has caused an uproar amongst Tatar intellectuals who see this document as culturally traitorous. An ethnic Russian-biased news group, Regnum, has circulated the letter and intentionally inflammatory articles throughout the Federation in support of enforcing Russian-language education. Although these events are playing out in the Middle Volga, there are some direct parallels to the situation in Crimea. While Crimean Tatar is not an official language in the ARC, and only a few schools that teach it, there have been great efforts on the part of the Crimean Tatars to change that fact, as I've explored in previous posts. What this news story could signal, however, is a Russian backlash against national language education and recognition. I also got the sense that the language issue is only the gateway to a larger argument, with both ethnic and religious components. Because of Ukraine's geographic proximity to Russia if nothing else, we could see a spill-over of the same sentiments into Ukraine, especially among the ethnic Russians.

Ukraine, however, is not Russia, and as the initial stages of these debates in Tatarstan are only getting started, there is no cause for alarm. In fact, a statement from Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, applauded Ukraine for its effort in maintaining an open dialog between the various religious groups of the country and the central government. This statement came following an international conference in Kyiv on "World religions and civil societies united against hatred and extremism" hosted by the Institute of Human Rights and Prevention of Extremism and Xenophobia. Zed stated that Ukraine is setting a good example for the world in holding an interfaith dialog. While I could find no official report of this meeting other than in the news sources that RISU cites, these meeting historically emphasize dialog between Christian sects, with little or no representation for other groups, such as the Crimean Tatars. However, following Azarov's comments earlier in April that he is ready and willing to begin a dialog with the Tatars, and because of the international nature of this conference, I would imagine that Ukrainian Muslims would have participated.

On the subject of Ukrainian Muslims, and also hearkening back to a previous article about Slavs increasingly converting to Islam, Paul Karazin of Religion in Ukraine has posted a transcript of his interview with Oleg Kalenchuk, a Russian Muslim who lives in Crimea, because the muftis thereof preach and practice what Kalenchuk feels is the closest to "true Islam." He has learned Crimean Tatar and is working on Arabic. In the interview, Kalenchuk discusses his conversion to Islam and the societal and personal problems that caused for himself and his family. Karazin's questions feel to be on the antagonistic side, as he asks if Kalenchuk has been called dirty names, if he'd ever participate in a jihad, and what would happen if Islam ruled the world. They also discuss the current attitudes and stereotypes that Muslims face--particularly the Islamophobia following 9/11 and the Chechen wars. In all, it gives a good insight into the challenges that Muslims in Ukraine--including the Crimean Tatars--face on a daily basis when interacting with their non-Muslim neighbors. While representatives and governments may be on working terms with each other, as evidenced by the recent forum and discussions, there is still a long way to go for equal treatment on the ground.

Articles referenced in this post:

Kazan parents’ call for studying Russian not Tatar sparks conflicts about more than language

https://www.kyivpost.com/blogs/blogger/469/post/6079/

Hindus Laud Ukraine for Taking Lead in Interfaith Dialogue

http://risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/other_confessions/other_beliefs/41951/

Русские мусульмане – Бог вместо Родины. Интервью русского мусульманина из Крыма (For a Russian Muslim, God is higher than Nation. An interview with a Russian Muslim from Crimea)

http://www.religion.in.ua/zmi/foreign_zmi/9529-russkie-musulmane-bog-vmesto-rodiny-intervyu-russkogo-musulmanina-iz-kryma.html

This Week in the News

On Monday, the court case against Vitaly Khramov, leader of the Don Cossack group "Sobol" continued. Khramov is charged with inciting ethnic and religious hatred after showing an inflammatory video presentation at the funeral of Vitaly Shemyakin, whom Khramov attests was killed by Islamic extremists. "Sobol" is a Russian-nationalist and separatist group, and Khramov has been known for his anti-Ukrainian, -Muslim, and -Jewish views and outbursts.

The article states that the prosecution has hit a snag as Khramov's lawyers attest that the evidence against him was obtained illegally. Present at the trial were members of many Cossack and Russian groups in support of Khramov. This situation presents a difficulty for the central government in Kyiv and the Crimean minorities. The support shown by various groups is alarming enough, but should Khramov win the case, that sends the message that hate speech and inciting ethnic and religious hatred is permissible: it is only a short step from hate speech to hate crimes. Should Khramov lose, however, there is also a possibility that the Cossack and Russian groups in support of Khramov might rise up in protest and retaliate against Crimean Ukrainians, Tatars, and Jews. While it appears to be a lose-lose situation, I do not know enough about the case and its proceedings--and the Ukrainian legal system in general--to completely rule out a resolution to this case that would deter future violence and hate speech.

Also, former Mufti of Crimea Nuri Efendi Mustafaiev has passed away. He served as mufti from 1995 to 1999 and was influential in creating Azizler, a group whose aim is to examine and preserve Crimean Tatar culture. The Mufti of Ukraine Sheikh Akhmed Tamim has expressed his condolences but I have yet to find an official statement from either the Kurultay or the Mejlis. Given the tension between Tamim and the Crimean Tatars, this too could be the cause of continued tension.

Articles referenced in this post:

В Симферополе продолжается суд над лидером казачьей общины «Соболь» по обвинению в разжигании межнациональной и религиозной вражды (In Simferopol, the case against the leader of the Cossack group "Sobol" continues on charges of inciting ethnic and religious hatred)

http://www.religion.in.ua/news/ukrainian_news/9158-v-simferopole-prodolzhaetsya-sud-nad-liderom-kazachej-obshhiny-sobol-po-obvineniyu-v-razzhiganii-mezhnacionalnoj-i-religioznoj-vrazhdy.html

Mufti of Crimea Nuri Efendi Mustafaiev Passed Away

http://risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/other_confessions/islam/41550/

This Week in the News

Major steps this week have been taken to introduce chaplains into the Ukrainian Army. President Yanukovich issued a statement on the spiritual well-being of soldiers and other military personnel allowing their participation in religious services and rituals, and access to chaplains. This builds on work done by the Council for Pastoral Care (part of the Ministry of Defense) in conjunction with representatives from the major religious groups in Ukraine. President Yanukovich expects a concrete proposal to sign off on by May. This announcement comes on the heels of a statement issued by religious leaders to Prime Minister Azarov to restore the work of Council for Pastoral Care, which only met twice in 2009 and did not meet at all in 2010. Introducing the chaplaincy to the army is a major win for religious organizations as this will at once increase the churches' influence in the government and legitimizes the collective lobbying power of the religious sector. This also works to increase cohesion between the religious groups involved as this was a joint effort, and not a unilateral approach.

In an interview with Радіо Свобода (Radio Liberty) this week, Crimean Chairman Vasil' Dzharty acknowledged that the land problem in Ukraine is in a terrible state, calling it a "Bacchanalia," admitting wide-spread corruption in the buying and selling of land by both governmental and private entities. He also stated that he wishes to work with the Mejlis and the Kurultay of the Crimean Tatars in trying to meet their needs. He also intoned that if they could not come to an understanding on this land issue, that he would have to enforce the laws in his capacity as head of the ARC. When probed by the interviewer, Dzharty stated that he is in full support of teaching Ukrainian in schools and laments the fact that the only Crimean newspaper in Ukrainian is published by a high school. A couple days later a story broke on the state radio station that tri-lingual education--Russian, Tatar, and Ukrainian--was being considered by the Crimean administration. Whether lip service or not, Ukrainian language-learning is a hot topic, with protests in the Donbas, for example, to not close the only Ukrainian-language school in Luhansk. Strengthening the importance of Ukrainian education is a major path to greater unity between the regions.

Ruslan Gereyev, a researcher at Makachkala’s Center for Islamic Research studying radical Islamic movements in the North Caucasus presented a thesis in a lengthy interview that these movements are a form of social protest when other paths are blocked. When people, young people especially, cannot find an outlet for their frustrations within the normal modes of society--i.e. appealing to government officials--Wahabbism is attractive because it provides an alternative value system. Gereyev also said that combating radicalism with economic incentives, laws, and force will not solve the problem: there must be a constructive dialog between the government and the religious sector. He commented on the "ridiculous" situation in Daghestan where, with a population that is 96.5% Muslim, there is no government agency assigned to religious affairs. His solution is that governments must take the initiative in reaching out to religious groups and work in tandem with them to resolve issues. This thesis is terribly applicable to the situation in Crimea where the Tatar Mejlis and Kurultay have been trying with relatively little success over the past 20 years to open a dialog with Crimean officials and have mostly been sidelined.

Articles referenced in this post:
Рада у справах душпастирської опіки при Міноборони продовжує роботу із запровадження в Україні військового капеланства (Council for pastoral care of the Ministry of Defense continues to work on introducing chaplains into the Ukrainian Army)

http://www.irs.in.ua/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=815%3A1&catid=34%3Aua&Itemid=61&lang=uk

Президент Янукович доручив створити умови для реалізації військовослужбовцями права на свободу віросповідання (President Yanukovich orders the creation of conditions for the implementing freedom of religion for soldiers)

http://www.irs.in.ua/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=816%3A1&catid=34%3Aua&Itemid=61&lang=uk

Конфесії закликають Уряд відновити роботу Комісії по забезпеченню реалізації прав релігійних організацій (Denominations urge the government to restore the Commission to ensure the rights of religious organizations)

http://www.irs.in.ua/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=817%3A1&catid=34%3Aua&Itemid=61&lang=uk

Василь Джарти: земельна проблема в Криму – це вакханалія (Vasil' Dzharty: the land problem in Crimea is a "Bacchanalia")

http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/2313992.html

Сoncept of trilingual education in schools developed in Crimea

http://www.nrcu.gov.ua/index.php?id=148&listid=140280

Makachkala’s Center for Islamic Research: Radical Islam ‘a form of social protest’ when other channels are blocked

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/opinion/op_ed/detail/97761/

This Week in the News

Perhaps the local celebration (with the help of Turkish television) of Mawlid an-Habi, the celebration of the Prophet Mohammad's birth, was especially auspicious this year on the peninsula: a major breakthrough in Tatar-Crimean negotiations occurred this week as the Crimean government has agreed to a plan that will grant land to the thousands of squatters, many of which are Crimean Tatars, although the administration was quick to point out that among this population are members of other displaced groups. In the news stories that I came across no details were given as to exactly how many hectares these squatters will be granted, so perhaps those details will be hashed out in the days to come. This story has garnered quite a bit of attention, I might add, as it was picked up by national and international news sources, both in online print and radio.

This week it was also announced that the Simferopol government will allocate land for a new, central mosque located at 22 Yaltynska Street. I followed up on the exact location, wanting to see how "central" this location actually was; the address is almost 11km from the center of the city (click here for the map). Regardless, this is also a major concession towards the Crimean Tatar population. These two events in conjunction might lead down a couple of different paths: perhaps there is a shifting sentiment towards the plight of the Tatars as more international eyes turn towards the situation, or perhaps the administration has legitimate fears of a major protest and are acting out of self-preservation.

In other news, a new poll has revealed that over the past decade the number of people who self-identify as religious has risen 13%, and following heated debate over the control of St Sophia's cathedral in Kyiv, there is now discussion as to the possible inclusion of the Khan's palace in Bakhchirasay as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Articles mentioned in this post:

Віруючих українців за десятиріччя побільшало на 13% – опитування (Believing Ukrainians over the past decade has risen 13% - survey)

http://www.irs.in.ua/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=804%3A1&catid=34%3Aua&Itemid=61&lang=uk

Українські мусульмани відзначать Мавлід ан-Набі (Ukrainian Muslims celebrate Mawlid an-Habi)

http://islam.in.ua/3/ukr/full_news/8910/visibletype/1/index.html

Турецький телеканал вестиме пряму трансляцію святкування Мавлід із головної мечеті Сімферополя (Turkish TV station will provide the live broadcast of the Mawlid celebrations form the main mosque of Simferopol)

http://islam.in.ua/3/ukr/full_news/8901/visibletype/1/index.html

Khan's Palace in Crimea could be included on UNESCO list

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/97229/

Simferopol Authorities Allocate Land for Mosque

http://risu.org.ua/en/index/all_news/other_confessions/islam/40741/

Crimea allocating land plots to repatriates for private construction

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/97412/

This Week in the News

The announcement that Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Galicia Lyubomyr Husar of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) would be retiring due to health issues dominated the Ukrainian news service. His Beatitude is one of the leading ecclesiastical voices in Ukraine and is the spiritual leader for one of Ukraine's traditional churches. At the press conference announcing his resignation, His Beatitude exhorted the Ukrainian government to resume discussion with the nation's minority religions. He mentioned that, despite many requests, no government officials had any "serious discussions" with the UGCC in all of 2010, which is a problem that many other religious minorities share. He also mentioned the complaints of favoritism towards the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) on the part of the government because President Viktor Yanukovich is numbered among its ranks. He did not make any accusations, however, only stating that he was glad the president was a religious man. Husar also touched on the problems and persecutions that other Ukrainian churches are facing, specifically mentioning the pressure put on priests of the UOC-Kyiv Patriarchate to switch to Moscow. The Cardinal also left a stinging rejoinder for the current administration, stating that in the realm of church-state relations, the Ukrainian authorities "are doing nothing but repeating (sic) the mistakes of centuries."

In what was His Beatitude's last official function as head of the UGCC, Husar sat at the annual roundtable held by the Razumkov Center* on the topic of church-state relations. This roundtable is attended by heads and representative of many of Ukraine's religious organizations, government officials, religious scholars, and some members of the public, and is a valuable resource for gauging the relationship between spiritual and secular leaders. At the roundtable, Husar stated that the state tries to control the church because it is afraid of the church because the church raises "mature, thinking, and responsible citizens which is not convenient for the state power." He also went on to state that both the government's use of the church in its support structure and the church imposing its will on government officials to control the people produce negative consequences. The group as a whole decided that the state and religious organizations should be cooperative, since both serve the same people, yet remain separate entities.

As a result of the roundtable, those in attendance signed a document putting forth the outcome of their discussion. This document includes statements as to the aforementioned separation of church and state, a rejection of attempts to turn religion into a political ideology, a call against official favoritism or having a state religion, an elimination of pressure from the government in regards to church internal affairs, and a restitution of church property currently in possession of the state. The Institute of Religious Freedom also provided a summary of major points from several speakers at the 3-day event.

* The Razumkov Center is a non-governmental think tank that carries out sociological surveys and researches public policy in a number of areas, including religion, security, state administration, and energy.

Articles referenced in this post:

In Ukraine, a 'Major' Exit

http://risu.org.ua/en/index/monitoring/society_digest/40631/

Patriarch Lubomyr: State Wants ot Control Church as it is Afraid of it

http://risu.org.ua/en/index/expert_thought/comments/40589/

Lubomyr Husar: State and church in Ukraine should resume dialog

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/96828/

Звернення учасників постійно діючого Круглого столу «Релігія і влада в Україні: проблеми взаємовідносин» до Президента, Верховної Ради, Кабінету Міністрів України (Address of the Members of the Roundtable "Religion and Power in Ukraine: Problems of Relations" to the President, Supreme Rada, and Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine)

http://www.irs.in.ua/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=801%3A1&catid=50%3Azv&Itemid=78&lang=uk

Парламентарі, представники Церков та експерти обговорили наявні проблеми у державно-церковних відносинах (Parliament Members, Religious Leaders and Experts Discuss the Current Problems in State-Church Relations)

http://www.irs.in.ua/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=803%3A1&catid=62%3Ainterv&Itemid=85&lang=uk

This Week in the News

New legislation was signed into place this week regarding the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations by President Yanukovich. Of the changes made to the law--which were many--of particular note are the recognition of religious organizations as legal persons and a change in the process of registering religious organizations (the original text in Ukrainian can be found here; the amended law is here). A letter from Patriarch Filaret (UOC-KP), who has recently been outspoken against the Yanukovich administration's alleged cooperation with Moscow to dissolve the UOC-KP, stated his disapproval of the legislation, stating that these new measures will only increase interconfessional conflict. He also noted that previously, all proposed changes to this law were first presented to the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches, yet these measures never were. There has of yet been no official response to the amended law by the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches. The updated law is written to go into effect on February 1, 2011.

Meanwhile, in Crimea, Vasil' Dzharty, head of the autonomous republic, drafted a letter to Mejlis leader Mustafa Dzhemil'ov requesting that he use his influence in the Tatar community to encourage Tatar squatters to vacate their homes. Dzharty stated in the letter that the situation these squatters have created is a major roadblock to the economical and social development of the peninsula. He also stated that if Dzhemil'ov did not exert his influence, the matter would be turned over to security forces. Dzhemil'ov, on official business in Turkey, responded that such questions are not solved in that manner. The Tatar leader then expressed his disappointment in the government, stating that the administration "is not interested in stability in Crimea." Five days later, while still in Turkey, Dzhemil'ov asked the President of Turkey Abdullah Gül for assistance in mitigating the conflict between the Mejlis and the Crimean government. In his letter to President Gül, Dzhemil'ov asked for Turkey to adopt a program of building apartments, schools, houses, and hostels for immigrants and Tatars in addition to laying out the Tatar community's major grievances with the Dzarty and Yanukovich administrations. Dzhimil'ov also spoke with President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mevlut Cavusoglu in Turkey on the same topic. Cavusoglu said that he and his deputies would see to it that Ukraine fulfill its obligations to the Council of Europe in regards to the treatment of the Tatar minority in Crimea.

Articles referred to in this post:

"Київський Патріархат закликає керівництво держави не порушувати міжконфесійний мир через прагнення змінити законодавство" (Kyiv Patriarchate calls on government leaders to not break the interconfessional peace by changing legislation)

http://www.irs.in.ua/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=787%3A1&catid=34%3Aua&Itemid=61&lang=uk

"Звернення Архієрейського Собору УПЦ Київського Патріархату до Президента України" (Address of the Council of Archbishops of the UOC Kyiv Patriarchate to the President of Ukraine)

http://www.irs.in.ua/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=786%3A1&catid=50%3Azv&Itemid=78&lang=uk

"М.Джемільов: На частку кримських татар припадає тільки 17% самозахоплень землі в Криму" (M. Dzhemil'ov: Crimean Tatars account for only 17% of squatted-upon land in Crimea)

http://www.rbc.ua/ukr/newsline/show/m-dzhemilev-na-dolyu-krymskih-tatar-prihoditsya-tolko-17--19012011092200

"Кримських татар попросили піти" (Crimean Tatars are asked to leave)

http://www.epravda.com.ua/news/2011/01/19/267009/

"ПАРЄ спробує розібратися в конфлікті кримських татар і керівництва автономії" (PACE [Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe] will try to mediate conflict between Crimean Tatars and the autonomous republic's leadership)

http://www.epravda.com.ua/news/2011/01/24/267809/