Head of DESS: Muslims in Russia are forced to eat pork fat

Crimean Muslims are forced to eat pork fat by Russians. Photo: Zaxid

Crimean Muslims are forced to eat pork fat by Russians. Photo: Zaxid

Viktor Yelensky, the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), stated that Muslims in Crimea face persecution by Russian authorities and military forces. He made this statement during a press conference titled "Freedom of Conscience in Ukraine: Its Enemies and Defenders", organized by DESS.

"Muslims in Crimea are also persecuted: they are deported deeper into Russia, deprived of their rights... To put it simply, they are forced to eat pork fat, their Qurans are confiscated, and they are denied the opportunity to perform prayers (namaz)," Yelensky explained, though he did not provide specific examples.

He emphasized that all these incidents have been documented.

It will be recalled that Albir Krganov, the Mufti and Chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia, previously stated that 200,000 Russian Muslims are fighting in the war against Ukraine.

Read also

In Vyshhorod, premises of seized UOC church being rented out

On the OLX platform, the premises are listed for 30,000 UAH/month + utilities.

Arson committed at Bancheny Monastery (updated)

Outbuildings on the monastery grounds are on fire.

Police in Dnipro release arsonist who targeted UOC church

The perpetrator, after his first failed attempt, promised parishioners he would “finish the job.”

Uzhhorod UOC cathedral rector hospitalized after court hearing

The court hearing in the case against Archpriest Dmytro Sydor has been postponed until June 19.

Gay teacher in Berlin reports bullying by Muslim students

A primary school teacher in Berlin’s Moabit district says he endured a year and a half of bullying by students after coming out as gay.

Media: Cypriot Synod deposes bishop following letter from Pat Bartholomew

The Ecumenical Patriarch demanded disciplinary action against a Cypriot hierarch who insisted on rebaptizing Protestants converting to Orthodoxy.