Can we imagine today that the two largest religions in the world, which have historically maintained numerous points of contact and peaceful coexistence, are now on the brink of a brutal and bloody war? Can we conceive that people who currently share a common faith in one God (Qur’an: Surah 112:1) (Bible: Mark 12:29) might tomorrow hate each other and become ideological tools in the hands of those who, under the banners of these religions, are already preparing a division of the world and a clash between civilizations? This scenario reflects the growing tension between the Islamic and non-Islamic worlds, with Christianity forming the core of the latter. In recent years, several factors have significantly contributed to the aggravation of this situation.
Terrorist Acts: Causes and Consequences.
One of the main causes of growing inter-religious hatred is linked to terrorist acts. Is it mere coincidence or a well-orchestrated strategy that most terrorist attacks are attributed to radical Islam? The fundamental issue is that the fear, mistrust, and hostility arising among the population after such acts tend to be directed at all followers of this religion. Consequently, in the United States (after 9/11), in several European countries (after the Madrid attacks in 2004 and the London bombings in 2005), in Russia (after Beslan and Crocus), and globally, there has been an increase in xenophobia, religious intolerance, violence, and acts of vandalism against Islamic sacred sites.
Many view these manifestations of intolerance as a natural consequence of terrorist acts. However, few question the true causes of these attacks, their planning, and the premeditated provocations orchestrated by certain organizations, which are discussed in the documentary “The IMPACT” and will be further explored in this article. An example of this phenomenon is the terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall in the Moscow region, which took place on March 22, 2024.
Crocus City Hall Attack
Four months have passed since the terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall, and during this time, various theories and statements have emerged regarding the tragedy. However, there are many peculiarities and unresolved questions that cast doubt on the official versions of the attack accepted by the authorities and reported by national media.
Before the attack, several countries had warned Russia of imminent threats. Among them were:
— The United States
— The Czech Republic
The Czech embassy in Russia expressed concern about “possible attacks by extremist groups in major Russian cities.”
— Similar warnings were received from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Germany.
— The British government also published warnings on its official website.
— Iran: According to a Reuters article, Iran warned Russia of a potential security threat prior to the Moscow attack, after interrogating suspects linked to deadly explosions in Iran.
Despite these warnings, several troubling questions remain:
How did Russian security services fail to prevent such a massive attack, despite receiving so many warnings?
Why, in such a highly monitored area like the Moscow region, which has one of the highest per capita numbers of law enforcement officers in the world, was there no one to protect citizens?
Why were the emergency exits at Crocus City Hall blocked, resulting in more fire-related deaths than from gunshot wounds during the attack?
How did an armed group manage to reach Crocus City Hall by car, bypassing all surveillance cameras, checks, and security posts, and carry out the attack without any immediate reaction, even though eyewitnesses reported police cars nearby that did not intervene?
How did the terrorists manage to travel hundreds of kilometers in a country where activists are closely monitored and arrested upon exiting public transportation?
These questions continue to trouble journalists, relatives of the victims, concerned Russian citizens, and the international community. Moreover, as revealed in the documentary “The IMPACT”, a series of coincidences seem to indicate the true beneficiary of this terrorist attack, broadening the scope of the problem. To fully understand the situation, we must consider the consequences of this attack, which have triggered a chain of events and set a discouraging trend not only for Russia but for the entire world.
Rise of Islamophobia and Migrantophobia in Russia
Immediately after the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, there was a significant increase in xenophobic and anti-migrant sentiments in Russia. Migrant drivers working for taxi companies reported receiving messages from clients refusing to travel with drivers of Tajik ethnicity due to their nationality.
In various Russian cities, groups of unidentified individuals assaulted Tajik citizens on the streets. Politicians began proposing stricter anti-immigration laws. Additionally, police raids targeting immigrants increased, particularly in apartments and dormitories, often accompanied by violence and violations of human rights and the Russian Constitution. Even when individuals had proper documentation, entire buses were filled with detainees, many of whom were forcibly deported. In St. Petersburg, a large-scale operation called “Anti-migrant” was launched to deport citizens from Central Asian countries.
The media outlet “Ostorozhno, Novosti” reported, citing its readers, that near Petrogradskaya metro station and in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, police were searching cars and arresting men who appeared to be from the Caucasus region.
According to BBC Russian, citing a lawyer defending immigrants’ rights, over 100 people were awaiting deportation hearings in a single Moscow court this Monday. “The police arrest almost every migrant on the street, especially those with Tajik passports,” the lawyer said.
This spiral of hate and repression shows no sign of slowing down, and as tensions continue to rise, both Russia and the world face a dangerous crossroads.
On April 8, in Moscow, the police raided the apartment of Manas Zholdoshbekov, a counselor at the Kyrgyzstan embassy. The officers broke the lock, damaged the front door, and acted aggressively, severely violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. They justified their visit by claiming they wanted to check documents and demanded the detachable part of the immigration registration form, even after being shown diplomatic passports. Some Russian media reported that the diplomat’s wife was physically injured, and his minor children suffered psychological damage. The incident was confirmed by Kyrgyz parliamentarian Dastan Bekeshev, who stated, “If they do this to embassy staff, I can’t imagine what they do to ordinary citizens who have no immunity.”
After several Tajik citizens were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack on Crocus City Hall, claimed by the Islamic State terrorist organization, there was a sharp increase in Islamophobia in various Russian cities. Incidents of online incitement and violence by both civilians and law enforcement intensified. Nationalists began conducting “raids,” demanding the dismissal of immigrants or forcing women to remove their veils. Human rights activists note that these detentions were carried out with gross violations of existing laws and with the use of physical force.
It is important to note that anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic narratives have long been entrenched in the consciousness of the Russian population. The Crocus City Hall attack merely “unleashed” groups seeking to create further divisions within Russian society.
In October 2023, a bill was introduced to the State Duma proposing to ban foreign nationals from working in schools, the pharmaceutical sector, state medical institutions, taxis, and freight transportation companies across the country. In November 2023, State Duma Deputy Chairman Pyotr Tolstoy expressed regret over Russia’s “passive stance towards migrants” and proposed banning citizens from certain post-Soviet republics from working as couriers, taxi drivers, and shop assistants.
The Russian human rights organization Memorial is aware of several cases (which may be significantly more) where the FSB randomly selected Muslims and fabricated terrorism charges against them. The accusations were accompanied by torture to extract confessions and the discovery of weapons and explosive devices that had been planted. The human rights organization emphasizes that it is extremely difficult to generate public outrage over these illegal acts due to the growing Islamophobia in society. According to the Memorial Human Rights
Center, in 2021, there were 420 political prisoners in Russia, 360 of whom were persecuted primarily for religious reasons, most of them Muslims.
The 2017 St. Petersburg metro attack. In 2021, the Memorial Human Rights Center concluded after a thorough analysis that at least 9 of the 11 defendants were not guilty, while the guilt of the other two remained questionable. However, ten defendants received sentences ranging from 19 to 28 years in prison, and one was sentenced to life imprisonment. On August 6, 2021, an appeal led to a reduction of each defendant’s sentence by 1 to 2 months.
Torture of detainees in the Crocus City Hall attack case
The cases reviewed clearly show that torture by law enforcement during investigations is nothing new in Russia. The issue of violence committed by authorities has long been known to the public, journalists, and human rights activists. The novelty in the case of the Crocus City Hall attack lies in the publicity it received. In the past, torture took place behind closed doors, without being recorded or posted on social media. This time, the scale of brutality made public is unprecedented. Many witnessed shocking and terrifying footage of violence. This episode has practically legitimized the most brutal and illegal treatment of people from Central Asia, and many Russian citizens have tacitly accepted this toward Muslim communities in general.
The absence of condemnation of the torture by Russian agencies and officials contributes to the normalization of this practice among the population, amplifying the already rapidly increasing Islamophobia. In response, tensions and outrage are growing among followers of Islam, further dividing society. General discontent is rising, fueled by fear for personal safety and a complete distrust of the government and laws. The strengthening of the repressive apparatus in Russia, aimed at further restricting already significantly diminished democratic rights and freedoms, could create extreme tension at a critical moment: the situation may become uncontrollable and irreversible. Who benefits from this?
Actions of ROC representatives after the terrorist attack
On March 27, 2024, an extraordinary congress of the World Russian People’s Council was held, presided over by Patriarch Kirill. At an event of such magnitude, one would have expected the Russian Orthodox Church to set an example, unite society, and remind believers that fighting evil with evil methods is not Christian. Instead, Patriarch Kirill’s speech was steeped in a messianic message emphasizing the crucial role of the ROC’s dominant position in the country and its leadership in patriotism and national defense. He stressed how the ROC has always remained the bulwark of patriotic forces, while governments changed, appeared, and disappeared. The mission of the Russian Orthodox Church is so important that, according to the Patriarch, it should continue to influence politics and public life, mobilizing the Orthodox community for the defense of the country and the promotion of spiritual and moral values.
Another significant aspect is the unreliability of the authorities. The presidential elections in Russia were held from March 15 to 17, 2024, and the final results were announced on March 21. The day after, on March 22, the attack on Crocus City Hall occurred, overshadowing Vladimir Putin’s victory and causing the population to doubt the newly elected president’s ability to protect the country. Who benefited from this? This context sheds a different light on Patriarch Kirill’s speech.
The decree of the World Russian People’s Council was published on the Moscow Patriarchate’s website, and they did not forget to mention the new migration policy. In this decree, the war in Ukraine is called “holy,” concluding that “the entire territory of present-day Ukraine must fall under the exclusive influence of Russia.” Muslims are often accused of using the term “holy war” and are labeled terrorists for it. But then, who are the real terrorists?
The documentary “THE IMPACT” offers a detailed account of the war between Ukraine and Russia and the influence of anti-cult organizations on this conflict, using methods similar to those employed by the Nazis before World War II.
Labels: “TAJIK = TERRORIST”
After the terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall, nationalist graffiti appeared on the walls of houses in Orel where alleged Tajik citizens live, labeling them “terrorists.” Previously, Orel residents had asked Governor Klychkov to deport Tajiks en masse from the region.
Labeling people based on their nationality or religion is not new. The Nazis in Hitler’s Germany used yellow stars to brand Jews. Similarly, in the 21st century, anti-cult groups apply labels like “cult” or “sect” to marginalize people based on religious affiliation.
In conclusion, it is important to highlight another disturbing fact. In 2023, there were several provocations involving the burning of the Quran, events that were documented through filmed footage.
Denmark:
Germany:
Sweden:
Russia:
While there have been instances of Quran burning in the past (such as in France in 2010, Russia in 2014, and other countries), the incidents of 2023 appear to represent a deliberate provocation aimed at triggering a larger conflict. Reflecting on the terrorist attacks in France and Russia, which involved innocent people, one might wonder: how many more sacred Islamic texts need to be burned before the situation reaches a breaking point? How many more mocking cartoons of the Prophet are needed before the tension becomes uncontrollable? How many more terrorist attacks will it take to ignite a total confrontation and divide the world in two?
We are witnessing a rise in anti-cult activities that could lead to an inevitable nuclear confrontation between Islam and non-Islam, potentially resulting in a global nuclear war. In this conflict, Islamic countries will stand up for Muslims who face ongoing oppression and discrimination. Non-Islamic countries, with Christianity as their dominant religion, entering into the struggle against the Islamic world, will believe they are fighting a religion of hatred, failing to see beyond the anti-cult rhetoric that Islam, at its core, is a source of morality, peace, and love, just like other religions.
Muslims living in Christian countries will face a choice; remaining neutral will not be an option as the rest of the world will rise against their religion, their people, and their values. With approximately 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, the question of who will prevail is rhetorical. However, given the presence of nuclear weapons in various countries, it is likely that there will be no true winners. This could be the most devastating and potentially final war for humanity.
Is it worth succumbing to provocations today, listening to the inhumane calls and incitements from anti-cultists in the media, in power, and in religion? Perhaps it is time to put an end to the activities of anti-cultists—those who see themselves as gods—and thus save billions of innocent lives.
Sources
1.https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/04/02/us-warning-russia-isis-crocus/
- https://t.me/ostorozhno_novosti/24964
- https://t.me/bbcrussian/62850
- https://www.sibreal.org/a/migrantam-zapretili-rabotat-taksistami/33041262.html
16.https://jyllands-posten.dk/premium/indland/ECE3688276/Succesfuld-sekt-uden-n%C3%A5d/
- https://jyllands-posten.dk/premium/indland/ECE3870223/En-kirkelig-stridsmand/
- https://jyllands-posten.dk/premium/indland/ECE3870223/En-kirkelig-stridsmand/
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