A Russian Orthodox priest has warned that the country’s Muslims could easily be incited to slaughter Christians. His incendiary remarks came as Russian Muslims gathered to celebrate Eid al-Adha in Moscow on Sunday.
During his church service, Schema-abbot Gavriil made reference to Russian Muslims gathered on Peace Avenue in Moscow to celebrate the Islamic festival. He said: “The entire space is covered with people. And these are healthy men, who do not drink alcohol, who wrestle and go to gyms for training.
“This is a whole army. And if one fine day a mullah orders them to slaughter residents of Moscow, then, believe me, they will do that quickly.
“And the Ministry of Internal Affairs will not even have time to do anything. And the result will be very sad.”
His comments provoked a furious backlash from Russia’s Muslim community, including the Chechen commander of the Akhmat special forces brigade.
Major General Apti Alaudinov called on the Kremlin to open a criminal investigation against the abbott.
“Why are no criminal measures being taken and why are no criminal cases being instituted?” he fumed.
“Why, if he is old is he not obliged to apologise at least.” He then went on to insult the prelate, making derogatory remarks about his mental capabilities.
The commanders insults in turn provoked an outcry from Russian Orthodox believers.
Thousands of activists from the Orthodox Movement “Forty Forties” descended on Moscow, calling for Alaudinov’s removal from his military positions and the reinstatement of abbot Gavriil who had been sacked in the mean time.
Putin has faced growing criticism over his immigration policies, with anti-Muslim fervour regularly whipped up by Russian nationalists.
The pro-Kremlin Telegram Channel Rybar recently published a video alleging a Muslim takeover of parts of Moscow.
The video claimed migrants had attacked residents in the capital’s suburb of Kotelniki on several occasions, adding that out of 8,000 local schoolchildren, only 50% were allegedly ethnic Russians.
The clip alleged terrorist recruiters were active at a Moscow junk market where weapons and Russian passports could be bought.
The channel also identified the locations of “ethnic brothels” and illegal mosques.
The video ends with the on-screen message: “So, who benefits from this breeding ground of Islamic radicals, Russophobes and bandits near the Russian capital?”