Rafik Mukhametshin: ‘The sermons in Russian language used to be read in the mosques Burnay, Eniler…’
The Russian Islamic Institute has introduced a quota on admission of girls: the overall number of women applicants must not exceed 25%
On 11 August, the MSB RT decided to hold the Friday sermon exclusively in Tatar language. The decision was treated ambiguously, however, the representatives of the Tatar clergy believe that the Tatars have to speak in their own mosques in their native language. For those who do not speak Tatar language, it is proposed to distribute handouts, to organize courses or to conduct Russian-language sermons on other days. This issue was discussed on 31 August at the press conference in Tatar-inform. The correspondent of Realnoe Vremya attended the meeting.
The Muslims don't want to be Tatars?
'It does not mean that the policy of the MSB RT concerning the mosques will change dramatically because in Tatarstan there are few mosques where the sermons are read in Russian. What is more, we have no such mosques in the villages at all. Therefore, it would be wrong to say that this decision will radically change the situation in the mosques,' explained the situation the rector of the Russian Islamic Institute Rafik Mukhametshin at the press conference in Tatar-inform.
According to his estimates, about 85% of Tatars consider themselves Muslims but half of them do not go to the mosques. They attend only Friday salah. That is why the imams should use this opportunity during these infrequent meetings to deliver a sermon primarily to young people. Mukhametshin admitted that the decision of the Muslim Spiritual Board of Tatarstan to preaching only in Tatar can create some problems but we should consider this issue beyond — today religion and nationality are separating more and more.
'Unfortunately, young Muslims are getting estranged from national issues. They have their own priorities, they emphasize that they are Muslims, and therefore they focus on national traditions, language very little,' said Mukhametshin.
The decision of MSB RT, according to the rector of the RII, should lead to the fact that the mosques partly will take over the function of preserving language, as today the school cannot cope with it.
As for representative of other nationalities, Mukhametshin believes that their rights will not be infringed because the Friday sermon is not the main part of Friday salah, and the prayers are read in Arabic.
Mukhametshin reminded that the practice of reading sermons in Russian language was conducted in the mosques Burnay, Eniler, but now it will be terminated.
'We have about 1500 mosques operating. For all of them this decision is obligatory,' said Mukhametshin. But it is clear that the decision of the MSB RT applies only to the mosques located on the territory of Tatarstan.
For those who does not speak Tatar — leaflets and courses
Part of people became worried that the Muslims who will not fully understand the Imam can be attracted in sects.
'On the contrary, in the entrances of the houses, every two weeks we find pamphlets written in Tatar language, — some small sects call to join their ranks. Giving it for the words of Allah, they publish these leaflets. Look, they use Tatar language and thus attract people. Why should we in the mosques avoid this? If we talk about young people, for them the knowledge of another language is a big advantage,' said the chairperson of the World Forum of Tatar Youth Tabris Yarullin.
As an alternative for people who do not speak Tatar language or want to understand better, he offers to do special prints in Russian language or to teach Tatar language in the mosques. For example, the mosque Amina has such practice.
To teach the Uzbeks and Tajiks Tatar language
The imam-mukhtasib of Zelenodolsk and Zelenodolsk rayon Gabdelhamit Zinnatullin partly confirmed the words of Mukhametshin, saying that he reads all sermons in Tatar language. Returning to the subject of other peoples, professing Islam, he noted that even Uzbeks or Tajiks meeting him somewhere in the market say hello to him in Tartar, not mentioning the Tatars, who thank the Imam, who taught them their native language. According to Zinnatullin, living in a different country, you need to study languages, traditions and customs of the indigenous people.
'I studied in Bukhara from 1974 to 1980. Our teachers were Uzbeks and Tajiks. They held classes in Uzbek language. We loved them and respected him for their knowledge, so we loved their language. We did not even thought that we could be taught in a different language,' recalls Zinnatullin.
The head of the department of modern history of the Institute of History named after Sh. Mardzhani of Academy of Sciences of RT Ildus Zagidullin also believes that the issue of preservation of the Tatar language is in crisis — Tatar language is almost never used in official communication. From this point of view, the mosques can partially take over the function of language teaching.
'It is difficult to imagine that other peoples in their mosques put Tatars. But Tatars are gradually relinquishing their position'
For those who do not understand Tatar language, Mukhametshin offers to arrange Russian-speaking sermons on other days of the week. However, he stressed that the decision of MSB RT implies that the obligatory preaching in Tatar language on Friday is for all mosques of Tatarstan.
'Our imams are gradually relinquishing their position — the Tatars do not go to the mosques, and, referring to the fact that there are other peoples, the imams switched to Russian language. In the last 10 years this process was taking place. It is difficult to imagine that other peoples in their mosques put Tatars. The Tatars are gradually relinquishing their position but certainly not in Tatarstan but in other regions.'
As it turned out, the Russian Islamic Institute has already taken care of personnel who speak Tatar language, since it often happens that the young specialists who studied abroad are more fluent in Arabic. So, the RII decided to reduce the number of shakirds (students – editor's note) who do not speak Tatar language. And it's not a discrimination — according to Mukhametshin, it's difficult for the imams who does not speak Tatar language.
Another change for female students — this year it has been introduced the limitation, according to which the number of enrolled girls must be no more than 25%. And it is also not a discrimination – it is more difficult for women with theological education to find a job. Of course, most of them get married but it does mean that, preparing brides, the University risks becoming an Institute for noble maidens, said Mukhametshin.