Posted on 09/12/2011 6:33:48 AM PDT by marshmallow
Moscow, September 12, Interfax - The historical building of the Moscow Grand Mosque was demolished in Moscow last week.
"Workers used special equipment to demolish the building of the historical mosque to the foundation," Albir Krganov, first deputy chairman of the Central Spiritual Directorate of Muslims and mufti of Moscow and the Central Region of Russia told Interfax-Religion.
Krganov said he was surprised that the day selected for the demolition of the mosque was September 11.
"A tragedy occurred in Moscow on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the U.S." he said.
Earlier, some leaders of Islamic organizations in Russia criticized the plans of demolishing the Moscow Grand Mosque.
"The issue of demolishing the historical place of worship in Moscow has been stirring the minds of Muslims for several years. It is regrettable that the demolition is initiated not by some descendant of theomachists, who blasted churches of traditional religions or prayer towers of Tatar mosques in the expanses of Russia in the 1930s, but a person who bears the highest spiritual title of mufti," a joint statement of Islamic leaders obtained by Interfax-Religion on Monday says.
Ahead of the Eid ul-Fitr, the news came that the demolition of the historical building of the mosque in Moscow would begin after the end of the fast, and "this was confirmed during the festive sermon" in which head of the Council of Muftis of Russia Ravil Gainutdin "announced the pending demolition of the mosque," the statement says.
For several years, mufti Gainutdin has kept the Tatar community in Moscow "nervous by loudly declaring that the historical building of the Moscow Grand Mosque is not properly oriented toward Mecca and therefore poses no historic value," the statement says.
"Furthermore, he points out the similarity of the architecture of the mosque with the appearance of the Moscow grand synagogue. But that is no reason to demolish the mosque," the statement says.
Muslim leaders urged the federal authorities, the leadership of Moscow and Tatarstan, the World Congress of Tatars, local Tatar communities, public and religious figures in Russia" to raise their voices in defense of Tatar and consequently Russian Islamic heritage, noting that the authorities "have the right to demand that Ravil Gainutdin give up his insane idea of demolishing the historical building of the Moscow Grand Mosque," the statement says.
The statement was signed by head of the Central Muslim Board of Russia Talgat Tajuddin, mufti of Moscow and Central Russia Albir Krganov, the leaders of the All-Russian Muslim Board, head of the Muslim Board of St. Petersburg and Northwest Russia Jafar Ponchayev, the muftis of Rostov, Chelyabinsk, Kurgan and Astrakhan Regions and the Khanty-Mansiisk Autonomous Districts, the leaders of the Russian Islamic Heritage movement and others.
1 mosque destroyed, how many more to go?
The site should be used as a pig sty for the next ten years.
one down just a few thousand to go. good start keep up the good work
NYC...Are you paying attention???
Yes!!!!Spaciba Ruskies!!!
“Krganov said he was surprised that the day selected for the demolition of the mosque was September 11.”
There was some symbolism in choosing that day for teh demolition.
They’re making a statement.
The Russians are clearly getting tired of Islam’s attempts to take over and their terrorism. And what a day they picked to get rid of it. Putin and Medvedev just shot a finger at the Oblame-o administration’s pandering. “Here’s how it’s done.”
It was done by Muzzies purportedly for Muzzies. There's no there there.
Say what you will about the Russians, at least they haven’t fallen victim to the mental disease that is Political Correctness.
I noticed that too, that means they will probably be building a bigger & better one. Article doesn't mean what the headline seems to imply.
Did anyone read the article?
“... demolition is initiated ...by a mufti”
“the historical building of the Moscow Grand Mosque is not properly oriented toward Mecca”
Finally, some good news about mosques. DO YOU HEAR THIS AMERICA? Islamism isn’t a religion, it’s a government and thus has no place in America.
As others have stated, this was done by Muslims. What I read here tells me they're a little peeved at themselves for forgetting it was 9/11.
That certainly seems like a fitting tribute to 9/11. A day of service indeed.
The bit about it "not being properly oriented towards Mecca" is a red herring. Note that a large number of Muslim leaders are angry about this demolition, so they clearly don't regard it as sufficient motive to knock the thing down and it has been standing for a long time.
Here's what you need to know. Gainutdin (chief mufti) was leaned on by Putin and told "pull that monstrosity down......and if you need an excuse, tell your followers it's not facing Mecca."
The date and the event are highly symbolic not just for Russia but for the world. It will be Russia, not the US, which will lead the world in the fight against militant Islam.
“Here’s what you need to know. Gainutdin (chief mufti) was leaned on by Putin and told “pull that monstrosity down......and if you need an excuse, tell your followers it’s not facing Mecca.”
Is that a fact?
It’s a start.
Note that every other Muslim leader in Moscow and its surrounds is really ticked off about this.
Ask yourself what would cause Gainutdin to go against his fellow Muslim leaders?
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