Vitaly Milonov: ‘It is very important when a Christian and a Muslim fraternize’

'He will think first'

A young man vandalized Buddha statue in Elista. The guy did it because of the lack of brains and his slow wit. It is very important that a wide public discussion was at home, in Dagestan. For people from the Islamic World, it is very important when respected people of their country give a moral estimation. I think the best and the most effective punishment for him is that this act was criticized in Dagestan; all people were ashamed for his acts. I suppose after that, he won't do such thing any more and will think first.

He was not educated and trained to use all gained knowledge and skills to stain his wonderful region and the republic but be a proud of Dagestan, its people in sport.

This case should not end with any prison, it is the most important thing, because it will be ground for wicked people who would use this hooligan unthoughtful act to create a sectarian enmity in some respect. The most important thing is not to let it happen.

'The Muslims and the Buddhists have nothing to quarrel over. Both of them support a peaceful life and well-being at all homes.' Photo: kommersant.ru

A reproach connected with his imprisonment is enough. A fine might be imposed, he could sweep the streets during 10 days in Dagestan or Kalmykia – something like this. But he is young, he made a mistake. It should be understood that a broken life of this guy should not be the price for this mistake. He just did not understand. The guy does not have much grey matter.

He will possibly remember about this mistake and be a staunch supporter of values of any peoples after it. He will understand that no one can insult the mother and the father. And for religious people, an insult of God is equal to an insult of the father or the mother, which is, undoubtedly, inacceptable. Moreover, he hit the statue. The Muslims and the Buddhists have nothing to quarrel over. Both of them support a peaceful life and well-being at all homes.

Crazy people and provocateurs

People come to me sometimes with different initiatives, even asking to forbid a religion or separate symbols. There are initiatives that people set as a goal of creation of hatred. But I don't pay attention to such ideas and forget about them because it is easy and fast thing to hate each other. But to have a wisdom, talent, foresight to avoid being enemies is a value. Enmity is not a value, it is a disadvantage.

In general, I can say that there are many crazy people. Some people are crazy, and some people are avowed provocateurs. Such devilments of crazy provocateurs are done by both Muslims and Orthodoxies. These ideas should be filtrated very well.

This is why we always explain: 'People, appreciate Russia as a place where there is peace, Christians, Muslims and representatives of other less-spread religions live as good neighbours. Appreciate!' Harmony is unique. For this reason, one does not need to be very intelligent to cut heads and shoot at each other. All people who have weakened in the greatness of their nation do it. It is important, of course, when a Christian and a Muslim fraternize, think that they represent different nationalities but are identical in spirit.

'We always explain: 'People, appreciate Russia as a place where there is peace, Christians, Muslims and representatives of other less-spread religions live as good neighbours. Appreciate!' Photo: museum.ru

Protected from extremists Petersburg

We often become witnesses of violation of Orthodox temples, mosques, synagogues, offensive commentaries and pictures. People who do it don't play with fire but powder, a nuclear weapon, in fact. And here the bodies of the national security must ruthlessly exterminate these acts.

A lot of effort is put in St. Petersburg. There were many different kinds of extremists in the city. They have been cleaned up, arrested and condemned. Generally speaking, today in Petersburg, there are not any bands, which could raise their heads and express any extremist slogans and take similar measures. It refers to all kinds of them – pagans, those who think that they are Christians and those who try to insult Islam using heresy that has nothing to do with Islam.

The government is obliged to do this work at a serious level. We have common enemies, they equally want to kill Christians, Muslims and others. It is natural that they are trying to influence those who can be easily kindled – different extremists, Nazis, nationalists, etc.

Paradoxical though it might sound, but those who shout about nationalism more than others are fed by people who wish a war in our country as no one else. And the latter was not produced by us.