Mufti of Crimea: “The enemy is trying to provoke an interethnic and interfaith conflict”

The Mufti of Muslims of the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Hadji Emirali Ablaev, condemns these terrorist actions and believes that this is being done for interethnic and interfaith disunity in the country; these blasphemous crimes do not take place in our country.

Our unity lies in national diversity, and the enemy is trying to use this factor to divide the peoples of Russia. I urge the public to be attentive, wise and not to succumb to provocations. Crime has neither nation nor religion. Any crime has a specific purpose. In this case, it is to provoke an interethnic and interreligious conflict within the country. By the will of the Almighty they will not be able to do this,” noted the Mufti of Crimea.

The brutal attack left one policeman dead and another injured. The death of priest Nicholas from an Orthodox church is also reported. The priest was 66 years old and was ill. In addition to Father Nikolai, one guard was also killed — he was armed only with a gas pistol. The remaining priests locked themselves in the church and are waiting for help.

source: SUMK press service