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Transformation of the Islamic World: Reforms instead of revolution. Part 2
In the framework of the single economic space,
citizens of our states will receive the right to choose a country of residence,
employment and education - and, as a result, promotion up the social ladder.
But new rights provide new obligations, which can be accomplished only by intelligent,
spiritually and politically educated, as well as loyal citizens.
If we, Muslims, do not know the laws and culture of Islam and government of our countries
we will not be adequate to the new world of new possibilities and initiative,
the world of modernization.
Thus, we all have to build relations with Islam governments across the globe and in the CIS.
I believe, that Russia must continue educating imams from Central Asia and Caucasus,
building new mosques not on the basis of nationality,
but on the principle "a mosque for all Muslims."
Why shouldn't we think about more sophisticated levels of integration?
There is the Parliamentary Assemble of the CIS countries
and the Turkic Parliamentary Assembly.
In the framework of the CIS there is the Council of the Heads of the CIS.
What if we think about creating a Union of Muftis of the CIS?
The Ulema Council of the CIS?
These ideas are based on ideas and resolutions of our ancestors,
adopted at the Third Russian All-Muslim Congress 105 years ago.
Today we have here heads and representatives of the spiritual board of Muslims of Russia,
Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan and Tajikistan.
Let us also think about this idea.
Our Muslims remember that leader of the Muslims Ummah
expressed common state interests during the Zemsky Sobor in 1613
where the Romanov family was elected as the ruling dynasty
and about the Muslim fraction of the Russian Duma at the Mecca Congress in 1926.
This common history should govern our common strategy for the future.
At the beginning we should altogether understand the reason
for the emergence of religious fanaticism and radicalism and ways of fighting against it.
I believe that we in need of unity in the system of Muslim education,
exchange between imams of the CIS countries.
Together we will have less difficulties in expanding of the spiritual elite
of the CIS with new members such as imams, journalists, political scientists,
businessmen, state employees and ideological workers.
We need to work together with Muslim representatives of the CIS
in order to enlighten broader circles of believers.
It should be done via periodicals, internet media, blogs, radio and TV.
Islam preachers must give regular speeches at TV broadcasting channels of the CIS.
The centralization is required for the creation of a single Muslim Russian TV channel
and a single Muslim publishing house which will unite various editions
of different character and directed at different audiences.
It could be created on the basis of the Medina publishing house
of the Council of Muftis of Russia which unites websites,
newspapers and fiction and which is targeted at a very broad audience in Russia
and other CIS countries.
However, it is important not only to create and support media sources,
but also create an audience and constantly engage the reader.
Thus we are supporting the idea of creating in main metropolis centers
of the Muslim culture which would render legal assistance to immigrants,
and explain to them Russian traditions and culture.
We should not forget that Russia is a common home
for people of different religions and cultural traditions.
We are all suffering from the unification of cultures
and absence of strong links with the heritage of our ancestors.
On the other hand, Muslims coming from Central Asia and Caucasus
find themselves isolated from their traditions, culture of Islam and education.
Their attempts to act according to their native villages often rejected by the local population
- we have a lot to work on here.
We should popularize the spiritual heritage of our ancestors.
The next year will mark the beginning of celebrations dedicated to the 700 anniversary
of Islamization of the Golden Horde.
This anniversary could also unite Muslims of the CIS based on our common historical heritage.