Russia Shuts Leading Islamic Organization

ON ISLAM: CAIRO – A court decision to close a leading Islamic organization in Russia was criticized as bureaucratic political order targeting the Muslim minority and reflecting a growing authorities' desire to bring the country's Muslims under Kremlin control.

"This is a bureaucratic order from people who want the Muslim part of society to be represented by puppets," Abdul-Wahid Niyazov, the chairman and founder of the Islamic Cultural Center, told The Moscow Times on Friday, May 27.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court confirmed a decision from the Justice Ministry last fall to close the center for "multiple violations of financial regulations."

The court order said that 21 of the center's 54 regional branches lacked proper legal documentation. » | OnIslam & Newspapers | Friday, May 27, 2011