Russia deeply respects the Quran and the religious feelings of Muslims, and in Russia disrespect for this holy book is a crime. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this, stressing that such practices are not common in all countries.
"It is a sanctity for Muslims and is a sanctity for all others. We know that other countries do things differently - they don't respect people's religious feelings and still say it's not a crime," the head of state said during a visit to the Juma mosque in Derbent.
"In our country, this is a crime - both under the Constitution and under Article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. It is a crime of disrespect and incitement of interconfessional discord," Putin pointed out. "We will always adhere to these legislative rules," he assured.
The Russian leader stressed that mutual respect for Christians and Muslims strengthens the unity of the peoples of Russia. "We have, thank God, thanks to clergymen like you, a strong inter-religious, interconfessional peace in the country," Putin appealed to Seidyakhya Seidov, chairman of the Juma mosque in Derbent. "The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia also teaches Orthodox Christians to maintain this state and tells us all the time: 'Muslims are our brothers. So it is and it strengthens the unity of our people - multi-ethnic, multi-confessional, but united,'" the Russian leader stressed.
Putin also congratulated all Muslims in Russia on Eid al-Adha holiday. "All will be well. Today all Muslims celebrate this holiday, so of course, while being at the mosque here, I want to congratulate you and all Muslims in Russia on this great holiday and wish wellbeing," he said. Seidov presented the president with the Quran as a gift. "Thank you very much for this gift. It will certainly find its place in the Kremlin," assured the president.
Earlier on June 28, a Quran burning action was held with police permission in the center of Stockholm at Medborgarplatsen Square. Its organizer, Salwan Momika, a 37-year-old immigrant from Iraq, who had previously been denied a similar demonstration, tore pages from the Muslim holy book and set it on fire. Before burning it, he placed pork bacon on a copy of the book, a particularly offensive gesture to believers.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS