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Growth of Islam in Russia Brings Soviet Response

(New York Times) Steven Lee Myers - Across all of Russia, Islamic faith is on the rise. So is Islamic militancy, and fear of such militancy. In the Caucasus, Islamic-inspired violence has killed far more people than terrorists have in Western Europe. The paradox is that in today's Russia, Muslims have never been freer. Islam is officially recognized as one of Russia's four principal religions, along with Orthodox Christianity, Buddhism, and Judaism. Russia has applied to join the Organization of Islamic States. However, believers outside of the state's Muslim departments are increasingly viewed with suspicion because of the radicalization of Chechnya and other republics. They are denounced as Wahhabis, followers of the puritanical sect from Saudi Arabia, a word that has become Russian shorthand for any Islamic militant.
2005-11-22 00:00:00
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