Another protest action by Muslims in Moscow, organized on the initiative of the Telegram channel «Utro Dagestana» (Morning of Dagestan), was quite successful, as evidenced by the significant media response it received. This was achieved with limited resources and, for the time being, without casualties.
As a reminder, the essence of such actions is that Muslims returning from Friday prayers in mosques start chanting «Takbir — Allahu Akbar! (God is great) in a crowd. As we’ve said before, this is not a violation of the law or public order, and it won’t be as long as the authorities don’t directly ban loud chanting during religious processions. It would be absurd to ban such chanting, as it would mean banning similar expressions during Orthodox processions, such as «Christ is risen — truly He is risen» (similar to «Allahu Akbar»). Until such bans are imposed, these actions remain legally in the same category. Only the panicked irrationality of Islamophobes can ascribe political significance to these chants, when it would be better to simply ignore them. But when have they ever acted rationally?
In any case, in an atmosphere of panic, paranoia, and a (supposed) besieged fortress (although what kind of fortress…), this action was not only covered by dozens of media, including foreign ones, but also sparked heated discussions on various platforms that branded it as a Ukrainian influence operation. These platforms hysterically called on the authorities to «react strongly».
In other words, politically, the action hit the bull’s eye, and its organizers provided a comprehensive commentary on their political goals, clearly formulating demands addressed to Russian law enforcement agencies — to stop raiding religious buildings and conducting searches inside them (https://t.me/utro_dagestan/10616).
Regarding this statement, we would like to note from our side that the division made between the goals of Muslims in Muslim regions, who will fight for liberation from the Russian Empire, and those in non-Muslim regions, where Muslims will seek humane treatment, is accurate and appropriate. However, we wouldn’t say that Muslim communities in non-Muslim regions have no political ambitions or interests at all. It would be more accurate to say that Muslims in these regions, unlike Muslim-majority regions, do not seek to establish an Islamic order. This does not mean that they cannot engage in other forms of political participation in these regions in the future, as is the case in London, where the mayor, Sadiq Khan, was elected with the support of Muslim voters (regardless of one’s opinion of him and his policies). This is more of a clarification of the wording.
Of course, we cannot ignore the reactions of pro-government «Muslim figures» to this protest action. While it’s clear what the regular imams who warned their congregants against «fitnah» (strife) are doing — it’s their job — those who engage in the futile task of defending Muslims in Russian courts but condemn their actions to protect their rights seem rather pitiful. In this context, let’s provide the reaction of the «human rights defender» and Putinist lawyer Nagiyev (https://t.me/advokat_nagiev/3997), along with our commentary on it:
«We have already mentioned that actions, marches and shouting in the streets by Muslims in Moscow are not necessary! Don’t play into the hands of provocateurs! Their goal is to ignite interreligious and interethnic conflicts. This is what Islamophobes are waiting for in order to carry out repressions against Muslims».
Is the esteemed lawyer not confusing cause and effect? Perhaps this particular action was a response to the repression of Muslims and their discrimination (i.e., sowing interreligious discord), rather than the other way around?
«It is known that the issues related to the mosques in Kotelniki and Dzerzhinsky are being handled by professional lawyers. We have proved several times in court that problems can be solved within the framework of the law. After our intervention and the reaction of spiritual figures and Muslim politicians, the Friday raids on the mosques stopped.
Seriously? When did they stop — recently in Kotelniki or Dzerzhinsky? Or does it mean that no new raids were carried out after their intervention? Well, then give us a timeframe — law enforcement officers cannot conduct raids every day; they need their rest, too.
«Apparently, radicals are unhappy with this and have started calling on believers to take to the streets. However, it’s striking how some Muslims fall for this and don’t realize that they are worsening the situation, creating problems for themselves and their families, and adding to the workload of lawyers.»
Well, well — adding to the lawyers’ workload! They have already worked hard for Aslambek Ezhayev, who was sentenced out of the blue to 17 years in a maximum security colony, for dozens of other Muslims who have also been imprisoned or are facing similar sentences. Meanwhile, these lawyers suddenly act pitiful when Muslims stand up for their rights.
But seriously, have some decency, or at least don’t treat others like complete idiots. Your «defense of human rights» in the Putinist system is like trying to save water from the sinking Titanic with buckets. And it’s not just that; you are shouting louder than anyone else that this Titanic is heading in the right direction, and that instead of actively looking for life jackets and lifeboats, Muslims should listen to the orders of the delusional captain who, instead of saving the passengers, decided to ram passing ships. This aspect of your activity has no justification, even with the best of intentions, if any…
In general, these actions show that with a regime whose feet are burning, it’s time for Muslims to act from a position of strength. Simply because all their energy is currently focused on the war with Ukraine and being destroyed there, while in the back they fear every rustling sound. But they only fear those who can make that noise. Those who only whine and complain are at best ignored, at worst suppressed, as was the case yesterday with the ultra-patriot Strelkov-Girkin, who called for repression and suddenly found himself facing them.
That’s why it’s time to act — intelligently and cautiously, without being carried away by success, but boldly. This is the only language they understand.