Press Release
They Equate between Criticism of the Chaotic Nature of the Security Services and Justification of Terrorism!
(Translated)

The North Caucasus Military District Court decided on the 24th of October 2016 that the Dagestan Imam Muhammad Nabi Muhammadov is guilty in accordance to Part 1 of Article 2-205 which states: (Open calling to terrorism and justifying it) and in accordance to Part 1 of Article 282 of the Russian federal constitution which states: “Inciting hatred and hostility”. The Imam was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment in a penal colony.

Muhammad Nabi Muhammadov was arrested on 08/04/2016 when he demanded that the security services release Muslims who had been arrested during a raid on a normal Jumu’ah (Friday). Following that, the charge of “justifying terrorism” was directed towards him due to his Khutbah (Friday Sermon) that he gave on the 5th of April in which he criticised the security service’s closing down of a number of Masaajd that was administered by Salafi. This therefore means that criticising the security services is categorised to represent justification for “terrorism”.

Another similar incident happened with Mahmoud Vilitov the Imam of Yardiyam Masjid in Moscow who is now under house arrest. The Imam of the well-known Masjid in Moscow was accused due to his Khutbah given three years ago in which he accused the security services and mentioned Abdullah Ghabayiv, a member of Hizb ut Tahrir, mentioning him well and that he had been killed in a dirty way in Kazlar. The Imam’s criticism of the brother believer’s killer is categorised also as being “justifying terrorism”. The Imam, who is elderly and disable is now threatened with 5 years of imprisonment.

Just like this it is easy to fabricate charges against Muslims and it is possible to express this with a well-known Russian expression that says: “If the person is found, then the charge has been found”. However, this must not act as an obstruction before the defence of the Ummah of the Ummah’s interests. It is necessary to mention that the severity of oppression that the disbelievers inflict is only a test from Allah Subhaanahu and it is necessary to remove it in accordance to the Shar’a. Allah Ta’Aalaa said:

(فَلِذَٰلِكَ فَادْعُ وَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ) “So to that [religion of Allah] invite, [O Muhammad], and remain on a right course as you are commanded” [Ash-Shouraa: 15].

O Imams, be examples for the believers and the righteous because verily Allah will not leave his righteous servants without assistance. Patiently persevere and defend the interests of Islam and the Ummah. This is a source of honour for you in the life of this world and in the hereafter. And remember that the Muslims will bear witness upon those who spoke the Haqq (truth) and stood upon the right course, and upon those who feared and were silent.
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

«مَنْ الْتَمَسَ رِضَا اللَّهِ بِسَخَطِ النَّاسِ كَفَاهُ اللَّهُ مُؤْنَةَ النَّاسِ، وَمَنْ الْتَمَسَ رِضَا النَّاسِ بِسَخَطِ اللَّهِ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى النَّاسِ»

“Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah at the expense of the anger of the people then Allah will suffice him with the sustenance of the people and whoever seeks the pleasure of the people at the expense of the anger of Allah then Allah will leave his affair to the people.” (At-Tirmidhi).

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Russia