Praying on the street: Kyiv’s main «Umma» mosque devastated
As a result of the Russian attack on July 31, the main mosque of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine (DUMU) «Umma» and the building of the Islamic Cultural Center were damaged.
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Muslims forced to pray on the street as their mosque is damaged / © TSN/Nelli Kovalska
As a result of the Russian attack in Kyiv, the main mosque of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine «Umma» was damaged. The blast wave shattered all the windows in the mosque. The scent of eastern incense wafts from a destroyed shop across the courtyard. There were no injuries in the mosque, as only a security guard was present in the complex, and he was unharmed.
Murat Suleimanov, the mufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine «Umma» told this to TSN.
Worshippers are now forced to pray on the street.
«This is the 'Russian world, '» one of the worshippers said, pointing to the damage caused by the strike. «Value those who protect you.»
«Around 5 a.m., like all Kyiv residents, we heard powerful missile strikes. Our security guard immediately informed me about the damage. I came here right away. We started inspecting the premises. All the windows are destroyed. The doors as well. And parts of our building are also ruined,» said Umma Murat Suleimanov, the mufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine «Umma.»
© TSN/Nelli Kovalska
The mufti notes that such behavior by the occupiers does not surprise him, as since the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Russians have destroyed many mosques.
«Lately, we can notice that they are increasingly targeting civilian objects, including religious ones… Therefore, we, the Muslims of Ukraine, as part of our society, stand against this injustice,» Suleimanov stated.
According to him, Ukrainian Muslims are spreading the truth about Russian crimes abroad, especially in Islamic countries where Russia has a strong lobby.
The mufti emphasizes that this is one of the largest mosques in Ukraine, where thousands of worshippers gather. By his estimates, up to 3,000 people attend the traditional Friday prayers.