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May 22, 2006
Russia: Islamic Region Wants Special Status
The Russian federal government in Moscow is close to signing an agreement with the country's largest Muslim territory, Tatarstan, that will give the region final say in many areas, from oil to education, that are not given to any of Russia's 88 other regions. Critics say the agreement will allow the region to become de facto independent.
This predominantly Muslim region of 3.7 million people on the upper stretches of the Volga River is officially called the Republic of Tatarstan, and it already has a significant amount of autonomy. About 50% of the population is Tatar, and 40% is Russian. The Sunni branch of Islam is most common.
Ivan the Terrible conquered the area in the mid 15th century, ending over 300 years of attacks by the Muslim tribes of the Tatar realm that often left Russia devastated. Well aware of the root of the problem, Ivan closed many mosques. At the end of the 18th century, Catherine the Great, who was born a German princess, gave more freedom to Muslims in her realm. After the Bolsheviks seized power in 1917, all religions suffered.
Since 1991, Islam has seen a rebirth in Tatarstan, which has been a big factor fueling tensions between the republic and the feds. That same year, Tatarstan declared itself independent from Russia, and the threat of war was possible, but the republic gave in after Moscow launched its war to subdue the rebellious, Chechnya, another Muslim republic. Like Chechens, many Tatars feel they are special and accountable only to Allah, the blood-thirsty Muslim deity.
The new agreement between the federal government and Tatarstan will give the Muslim republic even more autonomy, especially regarding the question of who gets the oil from this region, and who decides cultural questions, such as the teaching of Islam in local schools. The Tatar imams have been pushing for this, though the feds have resisted.
It's hard to fathom why the feds are caving in. They take a hardline on Muslim insurgents in Chechnya, but give in to the Tatars on pretty much the same demands which the Chechens have. The only logical explanation is that the Tatar leadership knows very well that President Vladimir Putin's regime is one of the most corrupt in the world, and that if you pay, you can have your way.
This spells disaster, however, for the Russian people. Russia has already suffered tremendously from Muslim terrorism. The new agreement provides the groundwork for the creation of yet another oil-rich region that will propagate the violent and intolerant ideas espoused by the 7th century Arabian warlord and pedophile, Mohammed.
Posted by at May 22, 2006 3:22 AM
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