The Fifth congress of Muslims from all over Ukraine and the near abroad was held in the capital Kiev.
The chamber gathered more than 3 thousands delegates from nineteen regions of Ukraine as well as from former CIS states and republics like Russia, Chechen Republic, Dagestan and Azerbaijan.
Those who have visited the first meeting, which dates back to 1992, say finally such events are held on the top level.
The roots of Islam go deep into distant ages of Ukraine's history. During the Soviet Rule a mass deportation slashed the Muslim population in Ukraine by more than 45%. Representative of Kiev Muslim organization has said even though a Soviet decree removed the charges against Ukrainian Muslims in 1967, only now the Government adopts the Islam education all over the country.
The history of Islam in Ukraine dates back to about 1000 years ago. Nowadays Muslims communitieshave formed some organizations, which help them join mainstream Islamic and Ukrainian daily life.
According to the spiritual board of Ukrainian Muslims nowadays in Ukraine there are about 2 million Muslims who set up hundreds of region organizations. Mufti of Ukraine emphasizes the necessity to develop the interfaith dialogue in Ukraine. According to him today Ukraine is one of the most comfortable countries for Muslims to live and to preserve their religious heritage.
Ukrainian Muslims claim the one problem that really gets them down. They complain about delays in reclaiming previously seized property in several Ukrainian cities through the restitution process. Officials say the old Mosques will operate as museums. Meanwhile the new ones are to be constructed as the state aims to develop multicultural and multifaith society of Ukraine.
source : http://abna.ir
