Chief Mufti of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin, who has also served as the head of the Central Muslim Spiritual Directorate of Russia, said in an April 30, 2022 interview on Sky News Arabia (UAE) that fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine constitutes a holy jihad for Muslims, and that any Muslim who dies in the fight is a martyr. He explained that the Spiritual Directorate has issued a fatwa on this subject, and gave examples of previous Russian victories over the Nazis and Western powers. In addition, he said that the U.S. was founded on the annihilation of native Americans and asked: "Does this have to repeat itself in Iraq, in Libya, in Syria, or in Afghanistan?"
To view the clip of Chief Mufti of Russia Talgat Tadzhuddin on MEMRI TV, click here or below.
The War In Ukraine Is Considered "A War To Defend The Homeland"; Muslims Who Die While Participating In The War Are Considered Martyrs
Talgat Tadzhuddin: "The Central Muslim Spiritual Directorate in Russia issued a fatwa that Muslims who are taking part in the [Ukraine] war... We consider this war to be a war to defend the homeland. Muslims who participate in this war... They should participate in it, because about 20% of our country's army consists of Muslims. This is how it has been for a long time. So whoever is taking part in the defense of the homeland and our sanctities... In all the monotheistic religions, this is considered a holy war for the defense of the homeland. This is not done by oppression or coercion. So a [Muslim] who dies while participating in this war is considered a martyr.
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America Was Founded "By Annihilating The Indians And The Bison... Does This Have To Repeat Itself In Iraq, Libya, Syria, Or Afghanistan?"
"We are defending our homeland. [Ukraine] is our neighbor. From there, in 1941, millions of [soldiers] of the fascist German army entered [Russia]. Our parents and my grandfather fought them and reached all the way to Berlin, and before that, in the days of Napoleon, to Paris. So this is undisputed.
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"In America, when they founded their country, they began by annihilating the Indians and the bison. On this, they founded their country. Does this have to repeat itself in Iraq, in Libya, in Syria, or in Afghanistan?"
