Having successfully separated from Russia, Ukraine is facing a dire new problem.
The rumblings of jihad had been felt at its borders, as the Chechens move about in search for followers and volunteers. Now however, the jihad has been brought to its doorstep.
Just this week, a demonstration of a thousand strong, bearded man and veiled women clad in black, sailed by the streets of Simferopol, the capital of the Crimean state.
The group that the demonstrator represent is called Hizb ut-Tahrir. They are promoting an ideal of Muslim rule that harkens back to the caliphate of centuries ago.
Crimea is fertile ground. This is where the Tartars, or Tatars, who are in good numbers Muslim, were deported during the second World War in what is akin to a genocide, while Tatar men had been employed in the War against the Germans.
The Muslim group of Hizb ut-Tahrir is not saying that the caliphate should be restored in the Crimea too, they contend that they are bringing awareness to the people of the glorious past of the Muslim community. They of course contend that their effort is 'educational'.
In fact the group know that the numbers in Ukraine are not in their favor. Only Crimea can claim a number of Muslims. So their 'awareness' campaign, to show the people the Muslim history correctly, correctly in their view, is a way of saying that Muslims are not some primitives, but have a rich and glorious history.
Be that as it may, there is nothing peaceful about the group.
In fact the group's leader extolls : "The Caliphate is not a threat, but on the contrary, is the salvation for mankind amid a crisis of capitalism, democracy and liberal values in general." In other words, we'll show you how to live, forget democracy. Furthermore, he adds: "Democracy is a system of unbelief."
The history of the Caliphate, however grand, was written in blood, something the group might not with to openly discuss. Another thing Hizb ut-Tahrir is not discussing is their rabid anti-semitism, which got them banned in Germany, among other places.
The Spiritual Board of Muslims of Crimea however, does not agree with Hizb and consider them 'scary'. The head of the Spiritual Board says that "this party creates a negative image of Islam and Muslims, people are scared of their rallies." He does not want the government to ban them outright, but would like to see the Ukranian government take a stance toward a group that proclaims that democracy is a system of unbelief.
The Ukranian government is using a 'wait and watch' approach, and seems in no hurry to proceed against Hizb.
Both Hizb and the local government are trying not to be confrontational. This detente serves both their purposes. Hizb by not clashing outright with the local authorities is able to continue unperturbed, while the authorities, by not cracking down, is basically not giving the group any more publicity or exposure than their thin numbers afford them already.
However, the leader of Hizb, is very vocal in public, and gives many interviews on tv and radio. Furthermore, he is actively recruiting for volunteers to join the Syrian rebels in battling Al Assad. Crimean Tatars, mindful of their painful history, have vigorously protested the call to join Syrian rebels.
Source : France 24/ 7.29.13
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