Kamil Samigullin: ‘Opening of a mosque for gays? I wouldn't pray there, it's dangerous to bend’

'Man's love for woman only is natural'

The conversation started with a reader's question about the terrorist attack in Orlando. It should be reminded the man, who, as it was known later, was a supporter of the Islamic State (banned in Russia), shot 50 visitors of a gay club and injured 53 people more. Readers of our newspaper were interested in Hazrat Kamil's opinion of this event.

'Not everybody who puts a white coat is a doctor. Undoubtedly, people can do whatever they want. They have the right to hate, not to like other strata of the society. We cannot impede them. But no one can breach the law. If it was permitted, anarchy would come,' the Mufti of Tatarstan noted.

We could not help but talk about LGBT society too. The readers asked what we should 'do' with them. 'What should we do with them or what should they do?' the Mufti joked.

'They should repent because it contradicts the nature as God created us. It is said in Quran and in all hole writings in general: 'We created you as couples' <…> Man's love for woman only is natural,' the speaker told.

Undoubtedly, people can do whatever they want. They have the right to hate, not to like other strata of the society. We cannot impede them. But no one can breach the law.

A part of the questions referred to the attitude of Islam to same-sex marriages. A reader stated they were legalised is France, and the imams who refuse to hold a ceremony for gay couples are liable. The Mufti said he had not heard about it:

'Sometimes people make a mountain out of a molehill. Once I also had a call. They reportedly said somewhere in France there is a desire to open a mosque for gays. What do you think about it? I would not pray in such a mosque. It is dangerous to bend,' the Mufti kidded.

'This band has nothing to do with Islam'

There also were questions about the fight against DAESH (ISIS – a terrorist organisation banned in Russia). Hazrat Kamil told the core activity of the Muslim Spirituality Directorate of Tatarstan is to tell about right postulates of the religion and put people off forbidden things, including terrorism. As the Mufti told, the Prophet foretold the appearance of ISIS.

'When you see black flags, lie on the ground, stick, don't move your hands nor feet. Then people who are weak in itself will appear. No one pays attention to them. People who are not capable of doing anything – only they are likely to follow them. They will claim sovereignty. In other words, no one has ever claimed sovereignty, no terrorist organisation has ever created a state,' the Mufti cited Kitab Al-Fitan (a book of tribulations).

Citing another book, the Mufti noted 'this movement, this band has nothing to do with Islam'. They are trying to use 'beautiful words' for their own needs. 'Now we are witnessing a state of war. We need to fight against them and ask God not to let them step onto our land. It is important 'not to let these dogs plant the grain of discord in our hearts, Hazrat Kamil added.

Mufti noted 'this movement, this band has nothing to do with Islam'. They are trying to use 'beautiful words' to their own needs

Egyptians will teach Tatars Arabic

One of the questions asked was about the agreement on the cooperation between Tatarstan and Al-Azhar University. The Mufti explained that now students will be able to study in the Egyptian university after their graduation from a Russian university and if the Board of Education will give its consent. Earlier it was necessary to study in an Egyptian school to learn Arabic.

'Students used to go there without any control. Now they will accept students from us, only from the Board of Islamic Education whose chairman is Rafik Mukhametshin, Hazrat Kamil explained.

The opening of the branch of the university in Tatarstan is not mentioned any more – Bolgarian Academy will appear soon. The Mufti hopes it will be able to compete with foreign universities in terms of the quality of education.

He also added they are working on the creation of Arabic courses together with Al-Azhar University.

About iftar and its culmination

Festive prayerin Eid al-Fitr (festival of breaking of the fast) will start at 7 a.m. throughout the republic. This decision was made together with the Council of Ulems and the Council of Kazy. So, the religious people won't get confused with the time for prayer and and it will be easy to get for those who pray in Qul Sharif. 'Consequently, the sermon will start at 6.30 a.m. and khutbah will be at 7.'

As for the iftar at Kazan Arena, this year the programme will be a bit different. Now people will pray inside. Places for breaking the fast will be in the stadium. There will be a festive programme until about 8.30 p.m. before the very iftar.

Hazrat Kamil also told about a pleasant peculiarity of Tatarstan: representatives of other religions take part in the iftar. For example, a Catholic cardinal participated in the iftar a couple of years ago. They also eat with us: 'Of course, it is the main part, the meal is the culmination of the meeting,' the Mufti of Tatarstan added joking.

Here a person marries two women. If he has a possibility to do to maintain… As far as I'm concerned, in Russia, the number of women is 10m more. Does the humane law deprive 10m women of being somebody's wife?

Religion vs. law?

One of the readers asked what to do if the basics of the religion are not compatible with the Russian legislation. For example, the Muslims can have the second wife, but a man cannot marry two women in Russia.

'Actually there is no contradiction but a tradition <…> Bigamy is not official. For instance, if a person has a lover, no one will say to him anything. But here a person marries two women. If he has a possibility to maintain them… As far as I'm concerned, in Russia, the number of women is 10 million more. Does the humane law deprive 10 million women of being somebody's wife? And there are other problems: for example, men die earlier. A person marries a widow with children and brings them up – it is excellent.'

'Quran permits to have two, three, four wives. But God says: if you are unfair, one wife is enough. It is closer to the fear of God. There is a permission, but it doesn't mean it is an order and you are obliged to do it,' the Mufti explained.

Mixed marriages

A reader wanted to know Hazrat Kamil's attitude to mixed marriages. The Mufti told that mixed marriages can be divided: according to religions and nations.

As for the Islamic law, the religion says woman belongs to her husband. This is why the Islamic law allows a Muslim man to marry a Christian or Jewish woman. It means she just must be a religious person. If a man is not Muslim, while a woman is, their marriage is impossible. Speaking about nations, there is no problem here. There may be only everyday problems,' the Mufti of Tatarstan told.

As for the choice of the religion, Hazrat Kamil reminded child is born with one God. The child's parent make him Jewish, Christian or pagan – it depends on the parents.

'If it is a Christian family, they will bring their child up according to their tradition. If they are Muslims – they will do it according to Islam. If father is Muslim, I think it influences. If he prays five times a day, he influences his wife and she also can start to pray.'