02 July 2013, 07:08
Muslims from Samtatskaro in Georgia complaint about oppressions by Orthodox population
The Muslims living in the village of Samtatskaro, Dedoplistskaroy District of Georgia, report about threats they receive from local residents and the rising religious conflict.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 28 the Orthodox villagers of Samtatskaro voiced against the collective Friday prayer practiced by Muslim villagers. According to Suliko Khozrevanidze, a Muslim villager, the Orthodox believers did not let other Muslims, arriving from nearby villages, into his house for the prayer, demanding from the owner of the house "not to hold Muslims' gatherings" and leave Samtatskaro.
Gulo Nadirashvili, the authorized person for Samtatskaro, believes that the locals' indignation was caused by the arrival of Muslims from other villages.
In the opinion of Tamta Mikeladze, a lawyer from the NGO "Association of Young Lawyers of Georgia", the situation in Samtatskaro is still tense.
Let us remind you that that the Orthodox residents of Samtatskaro, which make an overwhelming majority, had earlier hindered the holding of Friday prayers by local Muslims. However, they told reporters that their protest is not against the public prayers, but against the plans of the Muslims, who settled in Samtatskaro about 30 years ago, to build a mosque in the village.
Author: Edita Badasyan Source: CK correspondent
