Some of the clerics in the All-Russian Muslim Board (the Russian
Association of Islamic Accord, RAIS) have announced their disagreement
with the outcome of the organization's recent extraordinary congress in
Yekaterinburg, where Mufti Muhammedgali Huzin of Perm was elected head
of the Muslim Board.
"Members of the Russian Association of Islamic Accord would like to inform federal government bodies, the public and Russia's Muslim community and mass media that they disagree with the outcome of the Yekaterinburg congress," the statement says.
The letter was signed by the muftis of Chuvashia, Mordovia, the Penza, Rostov and Kemerovo regions, and the chairman of the organization's Council of Ulema Farid Salman.
The extraordinary congress was held in violation of the Charter of the All-Russian Muslim Board as only three of the nine regional Muslim boards were represented, the authors said.
The muftis who were not invited described the emergency congress as an arbitrary attempt to amend the Charter and usurp leadership.
The date of a new congress will be agreed upon and confirmed by the RAIS members and leaders.