Head Imam of Atyrau oblast: Terrorists are just hiding behind Islam

Terrorists who claimed responsibility for two recent explosions in Atyrau are just hiding behind Islam, head Imam (the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community) of Atyrau oblast Nurbek Yesmagambet told Tengrinews.kz. “None of the terrorists apprehended in Atyrau in the end of August ever went to our mosque. I can officially say that the mosque and real Islam have no relation to that,” Yesmagambet said. Imam also stressed that suicide is of the most terrible sins for a believer. Nurbek Yesmagambet did not comment on the information that the number of religious fanatics in Atyrau has significantly increased since summer 2011. “They are not coming to our mosque. They probably pray somewhere else. We don’t see them. But this tendency exists. We are performing a serious work with people currently: we bring young people to the mosques and explain the difference between real and pseudo Islam,” Imam said. Earlier Tengrinews.kz English reported that two explosions happened in Atyrau in the morning of October 31. The first blast was in the garbage can at Kulmanov street. An hour later a man blew himself up in Saryarka region. Islamic group Djund Al-Khalifat (Soldiers of Khalifat) claimed responsibility for both explosions. The suicide bomber was later identified. He turned out to be a 24-year-old Atyrau citizen Baurzhan Sultangaliyev. As per unconfirmed information, at night on November 1 Atyrau law-enforcement authorities apprehended 5 people suspected in relation to the blasts. Police is currently searching for two men of Asian appearance who are suspected of also taking part in organization of terrorist attacks. By Dmitriy Dubovitskiy