Russia`s chief mufti calls for tolerance
Feb 9, 2006, 12:57 GMT
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ANKARA, Turkey (UPI) -- Russia`s chief mufti has said that the controversy over the publication of cartoons of Mohammed should not turn into a confrontation between civilizations.
Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, chairman of the Council of Russian Muftis, said Wednesday during a visit to Turkey, 'We believe that the wave of protests that has swept some countries should not bear violence, which could lead to human deaths and destruction, inciting enmity between people.'
He warned that, unlike political or territorial wars, religious wars manifesting as a clash of civilizations could last for centuries.
All people`s religious beliefs should be respected, he said, calling spiritual values 'sacred for any believer,' RIA Novosti reported.
Islam in Russia has always been tolerant, Gainutdin said.
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