"The Charter of Muslims of Ukraine" sets an example for the followers of other religions

"Such initiatives have been already held in Europe, and now we are signing similar document in our country. Of course, it is imperfect. Perhaps somebody still has some comments on its text. But we will be able to gather a little later again in order to clarify concrete wordings."

Charter was supported by representatives of various Muslim organisations and associations (there are 34 signatures under the document text, but everyone can join it at any time). The number of scientific institutes has provided positive expert advices on the document. In particular, Olexander Sagan, member of the department of religious studies at NAS H. S. Skovoroda Institute of Philosophy, read expert’s report, in which he mainly stated a positive fact of the appearance of a fundamentally new document, which defined the principles and approaches of the modern vision of the Muslim community of Ukraine that is living in the society with a predominantly non-Muslim population. In addition, in contrast to the known Charter, adopted in 2008 by Muslims of Europe, the Charter of Muslims of Ukraine is more concrete and less declarative document. It determines the principles of co-existence of Muslims, taking into account the specifics of living in Ukraine.

The scientist noted that the relations between Muslim and Christian communities in Ukraine have a complex history, but they shouldn’t be confessionally engaged. We should find in our history something that unites Ukrainians, Muslims and Christians, in the difficult times of formation and development of the Ukrainian state, which would, as a civilian society, develop for the benefit of the whole Ukrainian nation.

The expert opinion of the Centre for Islamic Studies at the National University “Ostroh Academy” was read by associate professor of this institution Mykhaylo Yakubovych. In conclusion, it is said that the document was considered to be the unique one, recording the experience of the co-existence of Muslim communities with non-Muslim secular majority population.

Serhii Danylov, the representative of the Centre for the Middle East Studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies, said that the Charter of Muslims of Ukraine was undoubtedly a landmark event for the religious and social life of our country.

"In order to avoid repeating our colleagues, I will focus on the challenges. As the challenges are these specific problems, facing the Ukrainian state and the Muslim community, which have led to the document’s formation, its adoption and, in the end, today's crowded meeting. We have a mix of national challenges and the specific situation inside one religious community. Muslims are an integral part of the Ukrainian political nation. Islam is one of the ancient religions of our land. This raised the question of including these pages in the publicly recognized historical narrative, "— said the expert.

"Some parties and political groups, mentioned above, use the fact that the particular part of Muslims are trying to keep aloof from the political field, considering the integration and the construction of the modern society as something that is contrary to Islam. At the same time the enemies of democracy (the authoritarian regimes and extremist groups) to a certain extent use this fact. The initiative of the Ukrainian Muslims is very important from this point of view. As, it gives us a chance to prevent those conflicts that are going on in the West and are used in turn by the enemies of the democracy. This is a great chance to integrate Muslims into the Ukrainian society and to take advantage of the huge creative power of Ukrainian Muslim communities for the benefit of the Ukrainian state, the Ukrainian society, especially in such a difficult period for Ukraine."

Yurii Kochubei, diplomat and scholar, also expressed his opinion about the adopted document:

"It is important that Muslims have cooperated for the unity of the state, i.e. Ukraine, and they wish it the prosperity and the further development. [...]. The statements of the document should be implemented daily with our prayers and our deeds. Just talking is not enough. We must do all in order to implement the principles of the document for the benefit of Muslims of Ukraine and other Ukrainians, regardless of religion."