The solidarity campaign by journalists from Dagestan in support of the arrested Abdulmumin Gadzhiev has found support from key figures in the most radical Russian opposition. In particular, despite his reputation as an Islamophobe, Alexei Navalny has joined the call for Abdulmumin’s release (see photo above). Ksenia Sobchak also praised the journalists and activists from Dagestan who are fighting for their colleague’s release.
However, the so-called Russian muftis have stayed away from the campaign in defense of their fellow believer, despite the fact that he is an Islamic educator and a student of Sharia disciplines, standing on completely moderate and balanced positions. What can we say? This once again confirms what we recently wrote about — active, thoughtful Muslims who defend their interests are beginning to place their hopes not in the official DUM structures, but in the awakening and struggling civil society.
It is gratifying that a healthy part of this civil society is ready to listen to such Muslims and to see them in its ranks. This was demonstrated yesterday in Moscow at a mass rally in support of all political prisoners, organized by the Liberal Party led by Mikhail Svetov. Colleagues of Gadzhiev from the newspaper «Chernovik» spoke at the rally, and their speech was warmly supported by those gathered.
What does all this say? We may not like Navalny’s views on Islam or the hijab, just as he and his like-minded people may not like our views on, say, gender relations. But as it turns out, when our like-minded people are thrown in jail, he works to free them, while those who might be expected to do so remain on the sidelines. So whose side is it better for Muslims to be on?
On the side of those who, while not proclaiming their love for Islam, fight for the rights of all citizens (provided that this includes the rights of Muslims, as is beginning to happen lately)? Or should they be on the side of the eloquent muftis and imams who talk about the interests of Muslims, but then, when those interests are affected, only call for «sabr» or label those who take to the streets as «idlers,» as a super-successful Moscow imam recently did in Kazakhstan?