Good and evil cannot be equal
We live in multicultural and multireligious communities all over the Russian Federation. Dagestan is not an exclusion. Multiculturalism is the main feature and basic condition of Russia peoples' co-existence. From Medieval age to nowadays Christians (Orthodox), Muslims, Buddhists and adepts of Judaism live side by side in Russia. Russia was always strong with its tolerance and mutual penetration of different cultures and traditions. Those who dare to encroach on this are the real enemies of Russia. Those who dream to destroy this status quo and turn Muslims of Russia into enemies of their own state are enemies of Russia and enemies of the North Caucasus Muslims. What is the role of Islam in making this country stable and prosperous?
Islam is the religion purposing to bring life at full of humanity, peace and prosperity. The Lord calls the religious in the God-sent Holy Qur'an to develop the most blessed merits of soul, that were granted by God to everybody - charity, respect for neighbors, compassion, humility.
Religion is not a system per se, which can be accepted or imposed by force. Belief is a matter of conscience and heart only. No violence might influence them. A human comes to belief if only he longs for it and his heart is capable of faith. It is means that no compulsion in faith.
Allah enjoins Muslims in the Holy Qur'an to bring peace, good and brotherly love to people. Mores of Islam cannot be a source of any forms of violence because the Creator granted the faith of Islam, calling people to be on the right track of truth, peace and justice. Foundations of Islamic mores are charity, generosity, loyalty and respect for people, forgiveness and peace. In the Quran Allah orders Muslims to treat all people with patience.
There is an ayah in the Holy Qur'an: "Nor can Good and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!" (Surah Fussilat, 41:34)
Bloodshed, killing of innocent, fomentation of wars and conflicts are the most cursed sin. The greatest value of human life and respect for dissent mentioned in the Holy Quran are esteemed during the whole history of Islam. The Prophet Mohammad guarded lives of innocents in every way possible, he never started wars but cases of defense of people against aggression and attacks. In case a defensive war had been unavoidable there was an order not to do any harm for civilian residents and innocents, not to ransack their dwellings, not to cut trees, to honour the Holy places, churches and synagogues. Principles of fairness and toleration set an example for all mankind during the whole history of Islam. Christians and the Hebrews who were outcast in the times of the Dark Ages got a warm welcome and honouring in the lands of Islam. Islam is the religion of peace and prosperity, an obligation of every Moslem is to treat all people kindly and fairly and to fight against Evil and unfairness.
Members of the two religions in one church
Turning back to the past we see that the Hebrews and Christians always lived among the Muslims. They had their own schools and kept all their cultural and religious features. People and communities of different religions lived in the huge areas of the Ottoman caliphate, most of them were the Hebrews and Christians. Islam never recognized any forms of reduce adherents of different faiths to adopt Islam, guarding with zeal churches and synagogues. Before the advent of Islam the world never faced so tolerant and respectful care of adherents of different faith. That was a dark time of religious wars and barbarism in Europe. That were trivial happenings for the Western world at that time. According the Quran Muslims always were tolerant and merciful to the people of the Holy Scriptures. The Church of St. John in Syria is a confirmation. The Muslims who conquered this region did not have mosques so they started offering Friday prayers in this church, and it went on to belong to Christians at that. The Christians made their divine services on Sundays. Members of the two religions used one church for their divine services in peace and harmony.
Peace and toleration of Muslims to members of other religions continued on during the whole history of Islam. The Lord enjoined believers to treat kindly the people of the Holy Scripture (the Hebrews and Christians). (Al-Ankabut, 29:46).
High culture, sense of beauty and harmony, intellect and wisdom which Allah granted to believers illuminated all the mankind. Muslims were carrying toleration, justice, science and enlightenment, aesthetics, cleanness of life and prosperity. It is not an overstatement to say that Europe were cloaked in darkness of religious fanaticism and barbarism while the Islamic world was the most highly developed and prosperous civilization in the world. Islam was lighting up the noble way of truth and beauty for people.
The present actual
Concerning the present actual we see many attempts to destabilize situation in Russia, especially in the North Caucasus. Acts of terrorism, provocations, propaganda of anti-Caucasus sentiments, abundance of unfavorable information about Islam and Muslims in the press present Islam as a prime cause of terrorism. In addition there are economic instability, social and moral degradation, demographic crisis, poorer quality of education. It is alerting to see doubtful foreign policy with respect to Russia pursued by some states financially supported by USA.
To get over and bar from expansion this negative tendency the national government should pay special attention to these problems that threaten stability and safety of the state. It is necessary to join efforts of national, religious and public organizations in this cause. In modern times it is especially important to pursue a policy intended for strengthening interethnic and interreligious dialogue and forming of an integrated Russian nation, establishment of united nation of Russia. It is necessary to strengthen common to all nations and confessions moral and spiritual values.
