Ukrainian Muslims Today
Since Ukrainian independence (1991), more Crimean Tatars have returned to Crimea than during Soviet era. The Muslims are divided into various ethnic groups but the majority are of Tatar origin, of one particular clan or other. There have also been settlement by Chechen refugees in Crimea and other parts of Ukraine but the proportion is not significant.
Muslims have formed three structures for running their affairs. These are:
- The Spiritual Direction of the Muslims of Ukraine
- The Spiritual Center of the Muslim Communities
- Spiritual Direction of the Muslims of Crimea
Most Ukrainian Muslims affiliate to these organizations which help them join mainstream Islamic and Ukrainian daily life. Most Muslims have been trying to form a party to have a united voice in Politics, a so-called Muslim Congress, but so far it has not been achieved (the registration certificat of a Party of Muslims of Ukraine was canceled in November 2011 because it did not had nominate candidates in elections since the parliamentary elections of 1998). Muslims have formed several charitable organizations helping both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities. These mainly include CAAR Foundation, Al-Bushra, and Life after Chornobyl. There is also the Interregional Association of Public Organizations, Arraid which has often gained world attention due to its dedication.
Read more about this topic: Islam In Ukraine
Famous quotes containing the word today:
“At times it seems that the media have become the mainstream culture in children’s lives. Parents have become the alternative. Americans once expected parents to raise their children in accordance with the dominant cultural messages. Today they are expected to raise their children in opposition to it.”
—Ellen Goodman (20th century)