Unity of multi-confessional Ukrainian people: results of II International Conference on Islamic Studies in Donetsk

II International Scientific and Practical Conference “Islam and Islamic Studies in Ukraine” was held on September, 27, 2012, in Donetsk. Conference organizers were the Institute for Informatics and Artificial Intellect at Donetsk National Technical University, the Center for Religious Studies and International Religious Relations, the Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine (RAMU) “Ummah” and the All-Ukrainian Association of Public Organizations “Alraid”.

Nearly 40 researchers, public and religious activists from across Ukraine, and also Belarus, Georgia and Moldova gathered in the University building. Apart from exciting reports, recent discoveries were displayed, made at the summer stand of Holden Orda Khan during archeological excavations.

Dr. Anatoly Shevchenko, director of the Institute for Informatics and Artificial Intellect at Donetsk National Technical University, points out in his welcome speech that Ukraine is quite capable to play the role of a country uniting all the countries where Islam is not a dominating religion, for everyone’s benefit, mutual understanding and concerted effort in building a better future. For efficient interactions between confessions, Islam needs to be cleaned from the distorted information that can, alas, be found recently in the media

Mr.Said Ismagilov, Mufti of the RAMU “Ummah”, outlines its basic principles. First and foremost, it must be understood that there’re no “Muslims in Ukraine”, but there are Muslims of Ukraine, and they constitute a full-fledged and integral part of the Ukrainian society, have  the historic roots here, and Ukraine is the motherland for them just like for members of other confessions.

He says: “We should contact closer with one another, guided by supra-national principles; we should not forget that Muslims of Ukraine are Muslims of Europe, and we need to expand the links in the European direction as well”.

Mr.Bassil Maree, the “Alraid” chairman, spoke about importance of open dialogue: “Some people believe that Muslims are closed and fenced off the rest of the world. It is very important for us to look closely at the Prophet’s example in this matter; by doing this, we should engage in self-development, self-learning, and conferences like this serve these purposes. Also, they assist in gaining mutual understanding with members of other confessions, for fruitful cooperation in future”.

Mrs. Irina Dobrynina, head of the national and religious affairs department at the Donetsk Regional Administration, showed her positive emotions: “Although the church is separated from the state, the AAPO “Alraid” and the RAMU “Ummah” have always been inviting us for their events, and I am grateful to the organizers for this. Their willingness to cooperate shows they are not tending to fence off from the state and the public; they can see the objectives to which we can and should move together, and they are open for communications.  

Events like this encourage mutual understanding, religious tolerance and religious peace, consolidate efforts of various population strata in finding solutions for important public issues.