Causes of terrorism discussed at the Fifth Intercession Public Readings at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces

‘It is in the interests of the entire religious community to find out why most terrorists claim to be Moslems’, said Rev. Mikhail Dudko, DECR secretary for church-society relations, speaking at the Fifth Intercession Public Readings which took place on October 27, 2005 at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces in Moscow. ‘It would be in the interests of the Moslem first of all, and it cannot be said that nothing is done in this respect. However, the image of terrorist is still associated with Islam in social consciousness. This is something from which ordinary believers suffer’.

The priest urged to go beyond calls not to identify the ideology of terrorists with Islam, as these calls are more like incantations than a sober analysis of the situation. He also noted that dialogue with Islam, the second largest religion in Russia, is inevitable and essential for preserving the integrity of the country and ensuring civil peace. ‘We are conducting such dialogue today,’ he added and cited the cooperation within the Inter-religious Council in Russia. He described the actions aimed to undermine this dialogue as short-sighted and provocative.

The Fifth Intercession Public Readings, held under the aegis of the Orthodox Russia nation-wide movement, were devoted to struggle with terrorism. Among the speakers were Ms. Narochinskaya and Mr. Glazyev, State Duma deputies, Academician Lvov, military commanders, scientists, writers and political experts. They analyzed the economic, historical, political and religious causes of terrorism and worked out recommendations to be presented to Russian governmental bodies.