Muslim leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States agreed that "CIS Muslims must take a unified principled stand in opposing Islamophobia, extremism and terrorism and promote the effective propaganda of creative and peacekeeping potential of Islam" at today's international scientific-practical conference "CIS Muslims for interfaith and interethnic concord" , in Moscow.
"We must keep the unity of Muslims. I support the establishment of the Council to deepen and broaden the spiritual ties of Muslim countries of the Commonwealth," mufti of Kyrgyzstan Azreti Muratali azhi Zhumanov, where 4.5 million Muslims live, said in an interview with ITAR-TASS.
The conference was held at the initiative of the Supreme Council of Muslims of the Caucasus and the International Islamic Mission. The conference involved 40 Muslim religious leaders from eight member countries of CIS, as well as heads of Russia's traditional faiths
Mufti of Kyrgyzstan also spoke against the use of the term "Islamic extremism". "Islam does not teach extremism. It is a religion of peace. We must all fight against extremism, but not weapons," he said.
In addition, Muslim leaders have stressed the importance of combating social evils, in particular, drug addiction, alcoholism and moral degradation. The Mufti of the CIS were in favor of close cooperation "with traditional religious faiths, including within the framework of an effective Inter-Religious Council of the CIS.