Russia in New Move on Islam Study
A Russian government decision to hammer out a degree program for Islam study is gaining mixed reactions, with some hailing the move for helping better prepare experts on the Islamic faith, while others see it as an attempt to counter extremism.
“Students will study for three or five years without going abroad,” Damir Gizatullin, first deputy head of the Spiritual Directorate of the Muslims of European Russia and Siberia, told The Voice of Russia on Tuesday, March 5.
“They will get education that will be in line with our long-standing principles of peaceful coexistence, something that remains our cherished dream.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the government will hammer out a single Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program on Islam study within three months.
Supporters say the move would help remove problems facing Russians studying Islam.
There are no academic institutions or universities for Russians interested in studying Islam.
Currently, Russians seeking to study Islam are trained at secular and religious educational institutions.
"What we currently see in Russia are Islamic secondary schools, or madrasahs, rather than academies or universities, where students should get more knowledge regarding theological subjects, Muslim law and history,” said Denga Khalidov, head of the Center for Islam Ethnopolitics Studies in Moscow.
The Russian Federation is home to some 23 million Muslims in the north of the Caucasus and southern republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan.
Islam is Russia's second-largest religion representing roughly 15 percent of its 145 million predominantly Orthodox population.
“They will get education that will be in line with our long-standing principles of peaceful coexistence, something that remains our cherished dream.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the government will hammer out a single Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program on Islam study within three months.
Supporters say the move would help remove problems facing Russians studying Islam.
There are no academic institutions or universities for Russians interested in studying Islam.
Currently, Russians seeking to study Islam are trained at secular and religious educational institutions.
"What we currently see in Russia are Islamic secondary schools, or madrasahs, rather than academies or universities, where students should get more knowledge regarding theological subjects, Muslim law and history,” said Denga Khalidov, head of the Center for Islam Ethnopolitics Studies in Moscow.
The Russian Federation is home to some 23 million Muslims in the north of the Caucasus and southern republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan.
Islam is Russia's second-largest religion representing roughly 15 percent of its 145 million predominantly Orthodox population.
