How Russia Courts The Muslim World: Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey The Worst

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AwqafAfrica is in association with www.esinislam.com, www.islamafrica.com, and www.islamicafrica.com <<>> African Muslim Directories <<>> If you reside in the UK, the US, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, or Australia and require FREE Islamic ritual services including Marriage, Newborn Baby Ceremonies, Funerals, etc. send your requests to: ritualservices@esinislam.com <<>>> Free Muslim visits in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Accra, Cotonou, Port Novo, Freetown, Abidjan, Dakar, Khartoum, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Harare, or Kinshasa visits@esinislam.com <<>> FREE Translations English-Arabic-English and French-Arabic-French are available for mosques, Islamic centres, and Muslim organizations based in Africa or serving the Africans abroad: translator@esinislam.com <<>> Free Islamic And Arabic Studies For The African Muslims And African American Muslims <<>> Islam In Africa <> Islam In America <> Islam In Europe <> Islam In Asia <<>> Join us celebrating Islam in Africa 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Somalia Muslims or Somali Muslims | Muslims of Somalia and Muslims in Somalia Islam in South Africa Muslims or South African Muslims or Southern African Muslims | Muslims of South African Or Muslims Of Southern Africa Or Muslims in Southern Africa <> <> Islam in Sudan Muslims or Sudanese Muslims | Muslims of Sudan and Muslims in Sudan <> <> Islam in Swaziland Muslims or Swazi Muslims | Muslims of Swaziland and Muslims in Swaziland <> Islam in Tanzania Muslims or Tanzanian Muslims | Muslims of Tanzania and Muslims in Tanzania <> Islam in Togo Muslims or Togolese Muslims | Muslims of Togo and Muslims in Togo <> Islam in Uganda Muslims or Ugandan Muslims | Muslims of Uganda and Muslims in Uganda <> Islam in Zambia Muslims or Zambian Muslims | Muslims of Zambia and Muslims in Zambia <> Islam in Zimbabwe Muslims or Zimbabwean Muslims | Muslims of Zimbabwe and Muslims in Zimbabwe <> Islam in African Muslims || African Mosques || African Muslim Organizations || African Muslim Colleges || 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Chad <> Islam in Comoros Muslims or Comorian Muslims | Muslims of Comoros and Muslims in Comoros <> Islam in Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) Muslims or Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) Muslims | Muslims of Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) and Muslims in Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) <> Islam in Congo (Brazzaville) Muslims or Congolese (Brazzaville) Muslims | Muslims of Congo (Brazzaville) and Muslims in Congo (Brazzaville) <> Islam in Djibouti Muslims or Djiboutian Muslims | Muslims of Djibouti and Muslims in Djibouti <> Islam in Equatorial Guinea Muslims or Equatorial Guinean Muslims | Muslims of Equatoria Guinea And Muslims in Equatoria Guinea <> Islam in Eritrea Muslims or Eritrean Muslims | Muslims of Eritrea and Muslims in Eritrea <> Islam in Ethiopia Muslims or Ethiopian Muslims | Muslims of Ethiopia and Muslims in Ethiopia <> Islam in Gabon Muslims or Gabonese Muslims | Muslims of Gabon and Muslims in Gabon <> Islam in Gambia Muslims or Gambian Muslims | Muslims of Gabia and Muslims in Gambia <> Islam in 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Mauritanian Muslims | Muslims of Mauritania and Muslims In Mauritania <> Islam in Mauritius Muslims or Mauritian Muslims | Muslims of Mauritius and Muslims In Mauritius <> Islam in Mozambique Muslims or Mozambican Muslims | Muslims of Mozambique and Muslims in Mozambique <> Islam in Namibia Muslims or Namibian Muslims | Muslims of Namibia and Muslims in Namibia <> Islam in Niger Muslims or Nigerean Muslims | Muslims of Niger And Muslims in Niger <> Islam in Nigeria Muslims or Nigerian Muslims | Muslims of Nigeria and Muslims in Nigeria <> Islam in Rwanda Muslims or Rwandan Muslims or Rwandese Muslims | Muslims of Rwanda and Muslims in Rwanda <> Islam in Sao Tome Muslims or Sao Tomese Muslims | Muslims of Sao Tome and Muslims in Sao Tome <> Islam in Senegal Muslims or Senegalese Muslims | Muslims of Senegal and Muslims in Senegal <> Islam in Seychelles Muslims or Seychellois Muslims | Muslims of Seychelles And Muslims in Seychelles <> Islam in Sierra Leone Muslims or Sierra Leonean Muslims | Muslims of Sierra Leone and Muslims in Sierra Leone <> Islam in Somalia Muslims or Somali Muslims | Muslims of Somalia and Muslims in Somalia Islam in South Africa Muslims or South African Muslims or Southern African Muslims | Muslims of South African Or Muslims Of Southern Africa Or Muslims in Southern Africa <> <> Islam in Sudan Muslims or Sudanese Muslims | Muslims of Sudan and Muslims in Sudan <> <> Islam in Swaziland Muslims or Swazi Muslims | Muslims of Swaziland and Muslims in Swaziland <> Islam in Tanzania Muslims or Tanzanian Muslims | Muslims of Tanzania and Muslims in Tanzania <> Islam in Togo Muslims or Togolese Muslims | Muslims of Togo and Muslims in Togo <> Islam in Uganda Muslims or Ugandan Muslims | Muslims of Uganda and Muslims in Uganda <> Islam in Zambia Muslims or Zambian Muslims | Muslims of Zambia and Muslims in Zambia <> Islam in Zimbabwe Muslims or Zimbabwean Muslims | Muslims of Zimbabwe and Muslims in Zimbabwe <> Islam in African Muslims || African 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And African American Muslims <<>> Islam In Africa <> Islam In America <> Islam In Europe <> Islam In Asia <<>> Join us celebrating Islam in Africa Muslims or African Muslims | Muslims of Africa and Muslims in Africa Islam in Angola Muslims or Angolan Muslims | Muslims of Angola and Muslims in Angola <>Islam in Benin Muslims or Dahome Muslims | Muslims of Benin and Muslims in Benin <> Islam in Botswana Muslims or Boswanan Muslims | Muslims of Botswana and Muslims in Botswana <> Islam in Burkina Faso Muslims or Burkinan Muslims | Muslims of Burkinafaso and Muslims in Burkinafaso <> Islam in Burundi Muslims or Burundian Muslims | Muslims of Burundi and Muslims in Burundi <> Islam in Cameroon Muslims or Cameroonian Muslims | Muslims of Cameroon and Muslims in Cameroon <> Islam in Cape Verde Muslims or Capean Muslims | Muslims of Cape Verde and Muslims in Cape Verde <> Islam in Central Africa Muslims or Central African Muslims | Muslims of Central Africa and Muslims in Central Africa <> Islam in Chad Muslims or Chadian Muslims | Muslims of Chad And Muslims in Chad <> Islam in Comoros Muslims or Comorian Muslims | Muslims of Comoros and Muslims in Comoros <> Islam in Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) Muslims or Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) Muslims | Muslims of Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) and Muslims in Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) <> Islam in Congo (Brazzaville) Muslims or Congolese (Brazzaville) Muslims | Muslims of Congo (Brazzaville) and Muslims in Congo (Brazzaville) <> Islam in Djibouti Muslims or Djiboutian Muslims | Muslims of Djibouti and Muslims in Djibouti <> Islam in Equatorial Guinea Muslims or Equatorial Guinean Muslims | Muslims of Equatoria Guinea And Muslims in Equatoria Guinea <> Islam in Eritrea Muslims or Eritrean Muslims | Muslims of Eritrea and Muslims in Eritrea <> Islam in Ethiopia Muslims or Ethiopian Muslims | Muslims of Ethiopia and Muslims in Ethiopia <> Islam in Gabon Muslims or Gabonese Muslims | Muslims of Gabon and Muslims in Gabon <> Islam in Gambia Muslims or Gambian Muslims | Muslims of Gabia and Muslims in Gambia <> Islam in Ghana Muslims or Ghanaian Muslims | Muslims of Ghana and Muslims in Ghana <> Islam in Guinea (Conakry) Muslims or Guinean (Conakry) Muslims | Muslims of Guinea (Conakry) and Muslims in Guinea (Conakry) <> Islam in Guinea Bissau Muslims or Bissauan Muslim or Bissawean Muslims | Muslims of Guinea and Muslims In Guinea <> Islam in Ivory Coast Muslims or Ivorian Muslims | Muslims of Ivory Coast and Muslims in Ivory Coast <> Islam in Kenya Muslims or Kenyan Muslims | Muslims of Kenya and Muslims in Kenya <> Islam in Lesotho Muslims or Lesothian Muslims | Muslims of Lesotho and Muslims in Lesotho <> Islam in Liberia Muslims or Liberian Muslims | Muslims of Liberia and Muslims in Liberia <> Islam in Madagascar Muslims or Madagascan Muslims | Muslims of Madagascar and Muslims in Madagascar <> Islam in Malawi Muslims or Malawian Muslims | Muslims of Malawi and Muslims In Malawi <> Islam in Mali Muslims or Malian Muslims | Muslims of Mali and Muslims In Mali <> Islam in Mauritania Muslims or Mauritanian Muslims | Muslims of Mauritania and Muslims In Mauritania <> Islam in Mauritius Muslims or Mauritian Muslims | Muslims of Mauritius and Muslims In Mauritius <> Islam in Mozambique Muslims or Mozambican Muslims | Muslims of Mozambique and Muslims in Mozambique <> Islam in Namibia Muslims or Namibian Muslims | Muslims of Namibia and Muslims in Namibia <> Islam in Niger Muslims or Nigerean Muslims | Muslims of Niger And Muslims in Niger <> Islam in Nigeria Muslims or Nigerian Muslims | Muslims of Nigeria and Muslims in Nigeria <> Islam in Rwanda Muslims or Rwandan Muslims or Rwandese Muslims | Muslims of Rwanda and Muslims in Rwanda <> Islam in Sao Tome Muslims or Sao Tomese Muslims | Muslims of Sao Tome and Muslims in Sao Tome <> Islam in Senegal Muslims or Senegalese Muslims | Muslims of Senegal and Muslims in Senegal <> Islam in Seychelles Muslims or Seychellois Muslims | Muslims of Seychelles And Muslims in Seychelles <> Islam in Sierra Leone Muslims or Sierra Leonean Muslims | Muslims of Sierra Leone and Muslims in Sierra Leone <> Islam in Somalia Muslims or Somali Muslims | Muslims of Somalia and Muslims in Somalia Islam in South Africa Muslims or South African Muslims or Southern African Muslims | Muslims of South African Or Muslims Of Southern Africa Or Muslims in Southern Africa <> <> Islam in Sudan Muslims or Sudanese Muslims | Muslims of Sudan and Muslims in Sudan <> <> Islam in Swaziland Muslims or Swazi Muslims | Muslims of Swaziland and Muslims in Swaziland <> Islam in Tanzania Muslims or Tanzanian Muslims | Muslims of Tanzania and Muslims in Tanzania <> Islam in Togo Muslims or Togolese Muslims | Muslims of Togo and Muslims in Togo <> Islam in Uganda Muslims or Ugandan Muslims | Muslims of Uganda and Muslims in Uganda <> Islam in Zambia Muslims or Zambian Muslims | Muslims of Zambia and Muslims in Zambia <> Islam in Zimbabwe Muslims or Zimbabwean Muslims | Muslims of Zimbabwe and Muslims in Zimbabwe <> Islam in African Muslims || African Mosques || African Muslim Organizations || African Muslim Colleges || African Muslim Businesses www.esinislam.com <<>> ALL SERVICES ARE FREE <> African Islamic education services and interactive Muslim World news network with insightful analysis and commentary on issues and events of importance to Muslims unfolding Muslim perspectives and Da'wah:: The Muslim World :: African Muslims :: African American Muslims :: Caribbean Muslims :: European Muslim :: African Muslim Portal

AwqafAfrica is in association with www.esinislam.com, www.islamafrica.com, and www.islamicafrica.com <<>> African Muslim Directories <<>> If you reside in the UK, the US, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, or Australia and require FREE Islamic ritual services including Marriage, Newborn Baby Ceremonies, Funerals, etc. send your requests to: ritualservices@esinislam.com <<>>> Free Muslim visits in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Accra, Cotonou, Port Novo, Freetown, Abidjan, Dakar, Khartoum, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Harare, or Kinshasa visits@esinislam.com <<>> FREE Translations English-Arabic-English and French-Arabic-French are available for mosques, Islamic centres, and Muslim organizations based in Africa or serving the Africans abroad: translator@esinislam.com <<>> Free Islamic And Arabic Studies For The African Muslims And African American Muslims <<>> Islam In Africa <> Islam In America <> Islam In Europe <> Islam In Asia <<>> Join us celebrating Islam in Africa Muslims or African Muslims | Muslims of Africa and Muslims in Africa Islam in Angola Muslims or Angolan Muslims | Muslims of Angola and Muslims in Angola <>Islam in Benin Muslims or Dahome Muslims | Muslims of Benin and Muslims in Benin <> Islam in Botswana Muslims or Boswanan Muslims | Muslims of Botswana and Muslims in Botswana <> Islam in Burkina Faso Muslims or Burkinan Muslims | Muslims of Burkinafaso and Muslims in Burkinafaso <> Islam in Burundi Muslims or Burundian Muslims | Muslims of Burundi and Muslims in Burundi <> Islam in Cameroon Muslims or Cameroonian Muslims | Muslims of Cameroon and Muslims in Cameroon <> Islam in Cape Verde Muslims or Capean Muslims | Muslims of Cape Verde and Muslims in Cape Verde <> Islam in Central Africa Muslims or Central African Muslims | Muslims of Central Africa and Muslims in Central Africa <> Islam in Chad Muslims or Chadian Muslims | Muslims of Chad And Muslims in Chad <> Islam in Comoros Muslims or Comorian Muslims | Muslims of Comoros and Muslims in Comoros <> Islam in Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) Muslims or Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) Muslims | Muslims of Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) and Muslims in Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) <> Islam in Congo (Brazzaville) Muslims or Congolese (Brazzaville) Muslims | Muslims of Congo (Brazzaville) and Muslims in Congo (Brazzaville) <> Islam in Djibouti Muslims or Djiboutian Muslims | Muslims of Djibouti and Muslims in Djibouti <> Islam in Equatorial Guinea Muslims or Equatorial Guinean Muslims | Muslims of Equatoria Guinea And Muslims in Equatoria Guinea <> Islam in Eritrea Muslims or Eritrean Muslims | Muslims of Eritrea and Muslims in Eritrea <> Islam in Ethiopia Muslims or Ethiopian Muslims | Muslims of Ethiopia and Muslims in Ethiopia <> Islam in Gabon Muslims or Gabonese Muslims | Muslims of Gabon and Muslims in Gabon <> Islam in Gambia Muslims or Gambian Muslims | Muslims of Gabia and Muslims in Gambia <> Islam in Ghana Muslims or Ghanaian Muslims | Muslims of Ghana and Muslims in Ghana <> Islam in Guinea (Conakry) Muslims or Guinean (Conakry) Muslims | Muslims of Guinea (Conakry) and Muslims in Guinea (Conakry) <> Islam in Guinea Bissau Muslims or Bissauan Muslim or Bissawean Muslims | Muslims of Guinea and Muslims In Guinea <> Islam in Ivory Coast Muslims or Ivorian Muslims | Muslims of Ivory Coast and Muslims in Ivory Coast <> Islam in Kenya Muslims or Kenyan Muslims | Muslims of Kenya and Muslims in Kenya <> Islam in Lesotho Muslims or Lesothian Muslims | Muslims of Lesotho and Muslims in Lesotho <> Islam in Liberia Muslims or Liberian Muslims | Muslims of Liberia and Muslims in Liberia <> Islam in Madagascar Muslims or Madagascan Muslims | Muslims of Madagascar and Muslims in Madagascar <> Islam in Malawi Muslims or Malawian Muslims | Muslims of Malawi and Muslims In Malawi <> Islam in Mali Muslims or Malian Muslims | Muslims of Mali and Muslims In Mali <> Islam in Mauritania Muslims or Mauritanian Muslims | Muslims of Mauritania and Muslims In Mauritania <> Islam in Mauritius Muslims or Mauritian Muslims | Muslims of Mauritius and Muslims In Mauritius <> Islam in Mozambique Muslims or Mozambican Muslims | Muslims of Mozambique and Muslims in Mozambique <> Islam in Namibia Muslims or Namibian Muslims | Muslims of Namibia and Muslims in Namibia <> Islam in Niger Muslims or Nigerean Muslims | Muslims of Niger And Muslims in Niger <> Islam in Nigeria Muslims or Nigerian Muslims | Muslims of Nigeria and Muslims in Nigeria <> Islam in Rwanda Muslims or Rwandan Muslims or Rwandese Muslims | Muslims of Rwanda and Muslims in Rwanda <> Islam in Sao Tome Muslims or Sao Tomese Muslims | Muslims of Sao Tome and Muslims in Sao Tome <> Islam in Senegal Muslims or Senegalese Muslims | Muslims of Senegal and Muslims in Senegal <> Islam in Seychelles Muslims or Seychellois Muslims | Muslims of Seychelles And Muslims in Seychelles <> Islam in Sierra Leone Muslims or Sierra Leonean Muslims | Muslims of Sierra Leone and Muslims in Sierra Leone <> Islam in Somalia Muslims or Somali Muslims | Muslims of Somalia and Muslims in Somalia Islam in South Africa Muslims or South African Muslims or Southern African Muslims | Muslims of South African Or Muslims Of Southern Africa Or Muslims in Southern Africa <> <> Islam in Sudan Muslims or Sudanese Muslims | Muslims of Sudan and Muslims in Sudan <> <> Islam in Swaziland Muslims or Swazi Muslims | Muslims of Swaziland and Muslims in Swaziland <> Islam in Tanzania Muslims or Tanzanian Muslims | Muslims of Tanzania and Muslims in Tanzania <> Islam in Togo Muslims or Togolese Muslims | Muslims of Togo and Muslims in Togo <> Islam in Uganda Muslims or Ugandan Muslims | Muslims of Uganda and Muslims in Uganda <> Islam in Zambia Muslims or Zambian Muslims | Muslims of Zambia and Muslims in Zambia <> Islam in Zimbabwe Muslims or Zimbabwean Muslims | Muslims of Zimbabwe and Muslims in Zimbabwe <> Islam in African Muslims || African Mosques || African Muslim Organizations || African Muslim Colleges || African Muslim Businesses www.esinislam.com <<>> ALL SERVICES ARE FREE :::::: AwqafAfrica is in association with www.esinislam.com, www.islamafrica.com, and www.islamicafrica.com <<>> African Muslim Directories <<>> If you reside in the UK, the US, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, or Australia and require FREE Islamic ritual services including Marriage, Newborn Baby Ceremonies, Funerals, etc. send your requests to: ritualservices@esinislam.com <<& :: Articles And Writers :: Palestinian News ::: Muslim World News ::: Middle East News ::: International News ::: Saudi Arabian News ::: Afghanistan News ::: Internet Newspapers ::: Do Something Wonderful! :: :: Regional African News ::: Al-Maghreb News ::: Nigerian News ::: Sudanese New ::: Somali News ::: Egyptian News ::: South African News ::: Articles And Writers ::: Awqaf Africa Press Release ::: Simply Thank You! :: Qur'an Translation ::: Qur'an Transliteration ::: Sahih Al Bukhari ::: Sahih Muslim ::: Muwatta` Malik ::: Sunan Abu-Dawud ::: Qur'an And Hadith Divan ::: Donations Options :: : As-Sirah Biography ::: The Final Prophet ::: The Four Caliphs ::: The Companions ::: Muslim Profiles ::: Our Sheikh Abu-Abdullah Adelabu ::: Articles And Writers ::: Do Something Rewarding Now! :: Muslim Briefcase ::: Ad-Duaa - Prayers ::: Hajj And Umrah ::: Figh us Sunnah ::: Names for Muslims ::: True Muslim Woman ::: Ash-Shirk [i.e. Polytheism] ::: Donate To African Muslim Communities! :: Arabic Dictionary ::: Directories A - Z ::: African Muslim Directories ::: Middle East Directories ::: Arabian Gulf Yellow Pages ::: Awqaf Muslim Communities ::: Helping The African Muslims :: African Islamic education services and interactive Muslim World news network with insightful analysis and commentary on issues and events of importance to Muslims unfolding Muslim perspectives and Da'wah :: The Muslim World :: African Muslimsgt;>> Free Muslim visits in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Accra, Cotonou, Port Novo, Freetown, Abidjan, Dakar, Khartoum, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Harare, or Kinshasa visits@esinislam.com <<>> FREE Translations English-Arabic-English and French-Arabic-French are available for mosques, Islamic centres, and Muslim organizations based in Africa or serving the Africans abroad: translator@esinislam.com <<>> Free Islamic And Arabic Studies For The African Muslims And African American Muslims <<>> Islam In Africa <> Islam In America <> Islam In Europe <> Islam In Asia <<>> Join us celebrating Islam in Africa Muslims or African Muslims | Muslims of Africa and Muslims in Africa Islam in Angola Muslims or Angolan Muslims | Muslims of Angola and Muslims in Angola <>Islam in Benin Muslims or Dahome Muslims | Muslims of Benin and Muslims in Benin <> Islam in Botswana Muslims or Boswanan Muslims | Muslims of Botswana and Muslims in Botswana <> Islam in Burkina Faso Muslims or Burkinan Muslims | Muslims of Burkinafaso and Muslims in Burkinafaso <> Islam in Burundi Muslims or Burundian Muslims | Muslims of Burundi and Muslims in Burundi <> Islam in Cameroon Muslims or Cameroonian Muslims | Muslims of Cameroon and Muslims in Cameroon <> Islam in Cape Verde Muslims or Capean Muslims | Muslims of Cape Verde and Muslims in Cape Verde <> Islam in Central Africa Muslims or Central African Muslims | Muslims of Central Africa and Muslims in Central Africa <> Islam in Chad Muslims or Chadian Muslims | Muslims of Chad And Muslims in Chad <> Islam in Comoros Muslims or Comorian Muslims | Muslims of Comoros and Muslims in Comoros <> Islam in Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) Muslims or Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) Muslims | Muslims of Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) and Muslims in Congolese (DRC Kinshasa) <> Islam in Congo (Brazzaville) Muslims or Congolese (Brazzaville) Muslims | Muslims of Congo (Brazzaville) and Muslims in Congo (Brazzaville) <> Islam in Djibouti Muslims or Djiboutian Muslims | Muslims of Djibouti and Muslims in Djibouti <> Islam in Equatorial Guinea Muslims or Equatorial Guinean Muslims | Muslims of Equatoria Guinea And Muslims in Equatoria Guinea <> Islam in Eritrea Muslims or Eritrean Muslims | Muslims of Eritrea and Muslims in Eritrea <> Islam in Ethiopia Muslims or Ethiopian Muslims | Muslims of Ethiopia and Muslims in Ethiopia <> Islam in Gabon Muslims or Gabonese Muslims | Muslims of Gabon and Muslims in Gabon <> Islam in Gambia Muslims or Gambian Muslims | Muslims of Gabia and Muslims in Gambia <> Islam in Ghana Muslims or Ghanaian Muslims | Muslims of Ghana and Muslims in Ghana <> Islam in Guinea (Conakry) Muslims or Guinean (Conakry) Muslims | Muslims of Guinea (Conakry) and Muslims in Guinea (Conakry) <> Islam in Guinea Bissau Muslims or Bissauan Muslim or Bissawean Muslims | Muslims of Guinea and Muslims In Guinea <> Islam in Ivory Coast Muslims or Ivorian Muslims | Muslims of Ivory Coast and Muslims in Ivory Coast <> Islam in Kenya Muslims or Kenyan Muslims | Muslims of Kenya and Muslims in Kenya <> Islam in Lesotho Muslims or 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How Russia Courts The Muslim World: Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey The Worst

January 1, 2009

Middle East Online -- Russia is seeking strong political relations not only with Iran and Syria, but also with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey - which have long been close allies of the United States, notes Jacques Levesque.

Vladimir Putin was the first head of a non-Muslim majority state to speak at the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, a gathering of 57 Muslim states, in October 2003. That was a political and diplomatic feat, especially since Russia was waging a long-running war in Chechnya at the time. Putin stressed that 15% of the total population of the Russian Federation are Muslim, and that all the inhabitants of eight of its 21 autonomous republics are Muslim, and he won observer member status with the organisation, thanks to support from Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Since then, Putin and other Russian leaders, including the foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, claim that Russia "is, to some extent, a part of the Muslim world." In an interview with Al Jazeera on 16 October 2003, Putin stressed that, unlike Muslims living in western Europe, those in Russia were indigenous and that Islam had been present on Russian territory long before Christianity. So Russia now claims to have a privileged political relationship with the Arab and Muslim world and believes that, as a mostly European state, it has a historic vocation as a mediator between the western and Muslim worlds.

There are reasons for these claims. The first is to counter the pernicious effect of the Chechnyan war, in Russia as much as in the rest of the world. The aim is to avoid, or at least limit, polarisation between Russia's ethnic majority and its Muslims by reinforcing Muslims' feeling of belonging to the state. "We must prevent Islamophobia," said Putin in the Al Jazeera interview. That will be difficult given the way anyone suspected of being a Muslim fundamentalist is pursued, and not just in Chechnya. "Terrorism should not be identified with any one religion, culture or tradition," Putin insisted. Before 9/11 he called Chechen rebels "Muslim fundamentalist terrorists"; now he speaks of "terrorists connected to international criminal networks and drug and arms traffickers," avoiding any reference to Islam.

The other purpose in seeking special ties with the Arab and Muslim world is related to Russia's foreign policy aim to "reinforce multipolarity in the world" -- to sustain and develop poles of resistance to US hegemony and unilateralism. This means taking advantage of the hostility to US foreign policy in the Arab and Muslim world. The Soviet Union used to present itself as the natural ally of anti-imperialist Arab states "with a socialist orientation." Now Russia is seeking strong political relations not only with Iran and Syria, but also with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, which have long been close allies of the United States.

Economic considerations are important, especially in the energy sector -- the power behind Russia's return to the international stage. The Kremlin believes there is a major future in nuclear energy and the export of nuclear power stations, which may give Russia a competitive edge in technology and make it more than just an exporter of raw energy. The same is true of high-tech weapons, which were the most successful economic sector of the former Soviet Union before serious difficulties in the 1990s.

The Kremlin is no longer seeking formal alliances. It wants strong but non-restrictive political ties in frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), which do not put it in direct opposition to the United States. Significantly, Iran only has observer status in this organisation, although it would like to be a full member.

One more explanation for this new policy towards the Muslim world is the quest for a post-Soviet Russian identity at home and abroad. This is not just political opportunism. In 2005, the academic Sergei Rogov wrote in the official foreign ministry review: "The Islamic factor in Russian policy is first and foremost a question of identity.... That is one of the reasons why Russia cannot yet be a nation state in the European sense of the term.... Our relations with the Islamic world directly affect our security."

It is important to grasp what that means. In September 2003, Igor Ivanov, then foreign minister, said the war in Iraq had increased the number of terrorist attacks on Russian territory as elsewhere in the world. That was before Beslan, but Russia was already fearful of terrorism as a consequence of the Iraq war. Russia had hoped that a new multipolar configuration would emerge from the concerted opposition at the UN Security Council by France, Germany and Russia, which had deprived the US of international legitimacy for the war.

Russian leaders, with Putin and Medvedev at the head, were seriously concerned that a "clash of civilisations" would become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Given the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and unconditional US support for Israel's most intransigent policies, Russian leaders thought potential US attacks on Iran would be a catastrophe, with destabilising consequences in Iran, so close to Russia, as well as in several former Soviet republics and in Russia.

This is a key to understanding the complex and difficult relationship that Moscow has with Tehran. Iran is an important geopolitical partner, as well as being the third-biggest buyer of Russian arms after China and India, and a showcase for the controlled export of nuclear power plants. Iran's leaders have refrained from expressing support for Chechen rebels. Iran and Russia cooperated in supporting armed opposition to the Taliban in Afghanistan, long before the United States. (Afghanistan under the Taliban was the only state in the world to recognise the independence of Chechnya and offer assistance to Chechen fighters.) But Moscow did denounce President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's remarks about Israel as "shameful" and put pressure on Tehran by voting with the United States for economic sanctions at the UN Security Council, although it excluded military action.

By risking a deterioration of its relations with Iran, Russia wants to show the United States and other western powers that it is responsible when it comes to non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. It also wants to persuade Iran to find a modus vivendi with the International Atomic Energy Agency. By agreeing to limited and gradual sanctions, Russia hopes to reduce the threat of an armed attack against Iran for as long as possible. Russia does not want an Iran equipped with nuclear weapons on its frontiers, but it would prefer to live with a nuclear Iran than face the consequences of a US attack on Iran.

The ambivalence of these positions has contributed to a rapprochement with traditional US allies such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia -- both concerned that Iran may have access to nuclear weapons. However, like Russia and for the same reasons, they are opposed to US military action. They fear the consequences at home as well as among their immediate neighbours.

As a result of the war in Iraq, Turkey has a de facto independent Kurdistan on its borders, a problem that would be seriously aggravated by a destabilised Iran. Russia intends to take advantage of this at a time when its economic exchanges with Turkey -- and political convergence -- are at their best for two centuries.

Russia also intends to keep improving its relations with Saudi Arabia, which opposed the war in Iraq despite its hostility to Saddam Hussein. (It did, however, make its bases available to the United States.) In February 2007, Putin made a first visit by a Russian or Soviet head of state to Saudi Arabia and offered contracts for the construction of nuclear power plants and arms. He also pleaded for an increase in the number of Russian Muslims authorised to make the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Saudi support for the Chechen rebels, openly expressed until 2002 (without recognition of the independence they claimed), suddenly stopped.

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