Mufti of Russia’s Kabarda-Balkaria says censorship of Islamic books

KABARDA-BALKARIA, 23 February, Caucasus Times. “Ban on religious literature is necessary – mufti Anas Pshikhachev”

Censorship of books about Islam distributed in the republic is necessary, the mufti of Kabarda-Balkaria, Anas Pshikhachev, has told the Caucasus Times.

According to him, the mufti’s office issues a review of any book about Islam they it is published in the republic. “I am against translations, with a few exceptions. We must ourselves, in accordance with our mentality, publish books in Kabarda, Balkar and Russian languages”, he said.

Anas Pshikhachev also said that when the tacit ban on religion was lifted, the republic was flooded by literature of dubious content. There were many books by [the late Pakistani theologian and expert on theocracies Abul Ala] Maudoodi. Incidentally, he is one of the strongest extremist authors. For an unprepared person such books are a call for action.

The spiritual board has set up special groups which visit villages and preach sermons. They explain to people the basics of Islam.