- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that those found guilty of burning the Quran will have to serve the sentence in Federation’s predominantly Muslim regions.
- Last year, Putin also condemned the insulting of Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h stating that such incidents violate freedom of speech and hurt billions of people practicing Islam.
Islamophobia is on the rise in western countries and incidents like burning the Quran, insulting Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h and mocking the hijab and beard have become very common. The silence of western leaders over such incidents is telling, as they take pride in calling themselves the champions of human rights.
At this juncture, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warning to those found guilty of burning the Quran comes as a breath of fresh air. Often projected as a villain by most western media outlets and politicians, Putin said that the Quran burners will have to serve the sentence in Federation’s predominantly Muslim regions:
“Quran burners will serve their sentences, as stated by the Minister of Justice, in places of deprivation of liberty located in one of the regions of Russia with a predominantly Muslim population”,
Putin
The Russian President’s statement came a month after a resident of Volgograd was arrested on the suspicion of burning a copy of Quran in front of a mosque. The incident was followed by mass protests in Chechnya, a Muslim-majority republic. However, the Quran burner’s case was later transferred to Chechen investigators for further proceedings.
Despite warning from lawyers and activists about the risk of torture or even death to the perpetrator, Russian authorities have strictly handled the case. Russian Investigation Committee has even claimed that the accused confessed to the crime that he committed for an exchange of $125 from the intelligence agencies of Ukraine.
This is not the first time that the Russia President has acted strictly to condemn the Islamophobic incidents. Earlier, Russia denounced the burning of Quran in Sweden by a leader of the far-right party. Putin also called out Israel’s brutal attack on Gaza and Al-Aqsa Mosque last year, vouching for a sustainable ceasefire.
During the annual press conference in December 2022, Putin also condemned the insulting of Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h stating that such incidents violated freedom of speech. He said that such statements hurt the sacred feelings of billions of Muslims. His statement came in the backdrop of blasphemous sketches of prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h published in French magazine Charlie Hebdo.
The Russian president went on to say that such acts give rise to extremist reprisals. His comments were welcomed by many Muslims across the world, especially the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, who said that the responsibility also lies with Muslim leaders to counter Islamophobia by spreading such messages.
However, it is important to mention that any invasions of Syria that Russia may be involved in can never be ignored, as we are one ummah, and if one part of us hurts, we are all hurt.
We condemn evil and appreciate good. Putin/Russia’s efforts to stop Islamophobia are commendable. The US drops on average 46 bomb/missiles per day, no western country ever speaks out about the injustice committed to Muslims yet Russia has and yet they are still seen as evil and veil in the media. Again, we condemn evil and commend good.
It is important to call a spade a spade. When someone does well, appreciation should also follow the act. Putin deserves appreciation for this step.
Russia just bombed and killed Syrian muslims today and you guys published this article at the same day? Have some shame.