Russian Muslim Leaders Oppose Shariah Court Demand

RT reports that the Russian Interior Ministry is investigating a controversial televised interview of Chechen lawyer Dagir Khasavov who told REN TV that authorities should legalize shariah courts or face violence and bloodshed. The head of the Yabloko party says that Khasavov's statements violate provisions of the Russian Penal Code that prohibit extremism and sowing of national hatred. Top Muslim leaders in the country told Interfax that they do not support Khasavov's proposal. Talgat Tajuddin, the head of the Central Spiritual Muslim Board, said that religion and state are separate in Russia and Muslims should use the secular courts just as other Russians do. He said that Muslim leaders already advise believers on what shariah law requires as to religious, family and inheritance issues. Albir Krganov, head of the Moscow Muslim Board, commented that Russians associate shariah courts with stonings and other cruel executions performed in Chechnya when it was run by terrorists.