Political and spiritual leaders concerned about rising fundamentalism in the Russian autonomous republic with a Muslim majority. Spiritual leaders invite people not to give in to provocations. Local priest: ” The Wahhabis are the culprits.”
Moscow (AsiaNews) – Churches burned, attacks foiled and increased pressure on Christians to convert to Islam. In Tatarstan – autonomous republic of the Russian Federation, with a Muslim majority – the extremism alarm is increasing. So much so that the President Rustam Minnikhanov has expressed concern and promised to personally follow the investigations.
As for the fires, and in various parts of the region, the charges have been formalized as vandalism , and arson, in violation of freedom of conscience and religion. Investigators insist, however , that they be considered as “acts of terrorism” .
The last year saw Christian seven parishes torched. The last two episodes occurred on 28 and 29 November, as reported by the Regnum.ru news agency.
Read the full report here:RUSSIA Russia: seven churches burned in one year in Tatarstan – Asia News