Chief Almaty Imam: Media shows Muslims bloodthirsty and ruthless

Head Imam (worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community) of Almaty Central Mosque Kulmukhammad Makhanbet voiced the position of the Spiritual Management of Muslims of Kazakhstan in relation to the terrorist attack in Taraz, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the Imam's statement published on Meshet.kz. Imam thinks that media show Muslims as “bloodthirsty and ruthless people without mercy”. He noted that “some people” keep faning the scandal accusing the Spiritual Management of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SMMK) of “absolutely every sin one can think of”. “I would like to say that we have stated our position in this regard, strongly criticizing terrorism in all its forms. Our activities are intended to enlighten people. And we are working in this direction to the best of our powers and capacities,” Makhanbet said voicing the position of the SMMK. Speaking of the work of Internet medai covering the events in Taraz, Imam said the following: “I think that some comments at popular Internet-resources are promoting inter-religious intolerance by calling for 'shaving the beards' and 'banning prayers and women's Islamic clothes'.” He thinks that moderators of Internet-resources have to realize the responsibility and efficiently react to such statements when processing the comments. According to the Imam, Islam, as any other religion, does not accept terror and murder of innocent people. Makhanbet cited Quran as a proof: “Whoever kills a human being except in lieu of killing or causing turmoil in the earth, so it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoever saves the life of one person, is as if he had saved the life of all mankind (Al Maidah 5:32)”. Makhanbet noted that people of different religions die during terrorist attacks, including Muslims. “Thus, the one committing an attack does not only kill himself, but also kills his brothers and sisters in faith. And Allah said: “But whoever kills a believer intentionally - his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment. (An-Nisa, 4:93)”,” Almaty head Imam cited Quran. He also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and once again reminded that Islam is a religion with no place for terrorism, extremism and violence. “Islam does not call to make innocent children orphans or make wives widows, those wives are also Muslims, by the way,” Makhanbet said.