Kyrgyz mufti orders clerics to help prevent ethnic clashes
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 5 June 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kyrgyz mufti orders clerics to help prevent ethnic clashes, 5 June 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53b2809f8.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 05, 2014
By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
Kyrgyz Grand Mufti Maksatbek Toktomushev (file photo)
Kyrgyzstan's Grand Mufti Maksatbek Hajji Toktomushev has issued an order obliging Islamic clerics in the country to use their sermons to prevent possible ethnic clashes.
The mufti's deputy, Ravshan Hajji Eratov, told RFE/RL that, according to an order made public on June 5, Muslim clerics should include in their sermons in the period from June 6-13 traditional Islamic teachings about brotherly relations between all Muslims, regardless of nationality.
The order was issued on the eve of the fourth anniversary of deadly clashes between local Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in the country's southern regions of Osh and Jalal-Abad.
More than 400 people were killed in the clashes, which lasted for several days.
Thousands were displaced and dozens remain missing.
The majority of victims were ethnic Uzbeks.
With reporting by muftiyat.kg
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
