MOSCOW, June 7 (Itar-Tass) - Society often discriminates migrants on ethnic and religious lines. Their rights should be protected by law, given a complicated inter-ethnic situation in Russian mega cities, according to Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, the chairman of the Russian Mufti Council.
"The past few months have seen a massive negative buildup of negative information background on themes related to Islam, the Muslims and migrants, including on the federal television channels. Attempts are being made to engrain several myths in public consciousness: ‘Muslims are aliens’ and ‘Islam is a religion that poses a threat’,” Gainutdin told a meeting of the Consultative Council on inter-ethnic relations and interaction with public organizations set up under the speaker of the Russian Federation Council.
"The introduction of a negative attitude to Muslims in public mind leads to violation of their constitutional rights in a number of cases,” the Mufti went on to say.
"Dissemination of wrong information about migrants results in violation of their elementary human rights. The local population starts treating them as second rate people,” Gainutdin added.
The Mufti recalled that Russia’s legislative basis had been formed with realization of importance to preserve inter-ethnic and inter-confessional peace and accord.
“In this connection, I would like to emphasize that it’s necessary to adhere to these principles when drafting future laws. We should preserve the continuity of our home legislative basis which takes account of millennial principles of creating the Russian nation,” the Mufti said.