The Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine “Ummah” and the All-Ukrainian Association of Public Organizations “Alraid” call Ukrainian Muslims to take part in parliamentary elections

Dear compatriots, 

Elections to the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2012. Their results will have strong effects for the future of us and the whole Ukrainian society, of which Muslims are an integral part.

We call Ukrainian Muslims to have active civic standing, take part in the elections and vote for the parties and candidates who can guarantee further development of democracy in the country, protect civil rights and freedoms, ensure freedom of religion and freedom of speech, who will be fighting with corruption and focused on intensive cooperation with the European West and the Muslim East alike.

Participation in elections is an opportunity for one to trigger social change. Our civil and religious duty is to encourage social improvements and spread justice, fairness, impartiality and compassion on all the humans. 

The Koran commands Muslims to cooperate with everybody in matters that are beneficial for humans. Allah said in the Holy Koran: “Help one another in goodness and piety” (Koran, 5:2), whereas the Prophet Muhammad (may be peace and blessings on him) said: “If I was called to unite with everyone, so as to reestablish justice for all and support the weak and the oppressed, I would rush to join them!”

Praised be the Most High, the time of religious repression has fallen, but the phenomena like xenophobia or racial and religious discrimination, quite often targeted on Islam and Muslims, are still alive. Participation in elections is a way to change the situation for better and guarantee that we will be able to enjoy our freedoms and God given rights.

We call brothers and sisters to make use of their constitutional right; they should not stay aside in times of establishing the Ukrainian statehood and our cultural renaissance.