Dr.Abbas emphasized that, in accord with the principles of sharia, the code of law based on the Koran, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) furthers the economic development and social progress of Muslim countries and communities. According to him, the main objective of the visit of the IDB representatives is to buy equipment for Crimean Tatar educational establishments and to discuss funding of new projects for the development and support of health and education of the Muslims in Crimea.

Dzhamilev emphasized that one of the key problems of the Crimean Tatars is that they have no opportunity to study in their native language. "The intensive process of russification is taking place. Out of 46,000 Crimean Tatar schoolchildren, only 10 per cent can attend schools where they are taught in their native language. The main reason is that in Crimea there are only 14 schools which provide classes in the Tatar language."

According to Dzhamilev, the IDB's decision to fund and support the Crimean Tatar system of education was the right step, which "will allow the preservation of the national identity and spirit of these people."

Dzhamilev also touched upon an issue which is of concern to the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people and the religious directorate of the Muslims of Crimea: introducing the bases of Orthodoxy to the curriculum of schools where not only Slavic but also Crimean Tatar children study. In the course of the meeting, the parties discussed a range of projects concerning education in Ukraine suggested by the Ministry of External Affairs of Ukraine in cooperation with the central organs of government of Ukraine.

Mufti Ablaiev suggested the IDB representatives consider a few projects: the building of a medical center for women, a center where Muslim youth and orphans could rest and study, a student hostel for girls, and an Islamic kindergarten. (www.RISU.org.ua)

Source: Religious Information Service of Ukraine