Trial on the ban to interpret Koran reminds problems with list of extremist materials

In Samara, the Prosecutor's Office (PO) has demanded to treat Muslim literature, including the book with the interpretation of the Koran in the translation of the Azerbaijani religious philosopher Elmir Kuliev, as extremist materials.

With reference to linguistic studies, the PO notes that there are extremist statements in the books, aimed at inciting hatred, enmity or discord towards the groups of "Jews", "Christians" and "unbelievers".

Translations of classical works on the Islamic theology cannot be recognized as extremist, the Islamic scholars interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" assert. The problem with the inclusion of religious literature into the banned list is often associated with excesses on the part of law enforcers and can lead to growth of radical sentiment, the scholars have stated.

Igor Alekseev, an Islamist, has pointed out that the ban on Islamic books narrows the already not very broad field for Islamic education in the Russian language.

The problem of extremism in texts exists, the Orientalist, Alikber Alikberov, believes. In his opinion, independent expert organizations, consisting of adequate professionals, should be involved in assessing the book quality.