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

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

Patriarch of Jerusalem calls on Churches to support Christians of Holy Land

The primate of the Church of Jerusalem said that in a time of crisis the Orthodox world is obliged to provide spiritual and prayerful support to the faithful of the region.

Peace in Ukraine is still far away, says nuncio

The Vatican’s ambassador to Ukraine said society does not trust negotiations, pointing to the experience of previous international agreements.

Children receive gifts from UOC Primate in Kherson Eparchy

In the Kherson region, His Beatitude’s charitable foundation congratulated children on the holidays.

Number of Orthodox сhurches grows by third over 15 years in France – report

The report records an increase in the number of clergy by almost 40% – a sharp contrast with declining religious practice among Catholics and Protestants in France.

Shevchuk claims Putin wants him dead, Australian media report

In an article by an Australian newspaper, the head of the UGCC spoke of threats against him and linked them to the policies of Russia’s leadership.

Patriarch of Antioch expresses support for UOC

The Primate of the Antiochian Church emphasized that the canonical Church in Ukraine is the UOC.