The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia banned marriage with adherents of a different faith. The theological conclusion was adopted in July 2020.
"The Council of Ulema decided that Muslims should not marry representatives of other faiths, in particular Christians and Jews. Interfaith marriages are permissible only in certain cases with the permission of the local muftiat," the official website of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia says.
The report says that marriages with non-Muslims can be concluded if the girl considers Jesus not God, but God's messenger - the prophet Muhammad, while Muslims believe in one God. A non-Muslim woman must also follow the instructions written in the Qur'an.
"Common values are important for people as close as husband and wife. The similarity of spouses in religion is the most important condition for a happy life," the report said.
Professor of Moscow State University Roman Silantiev notes that the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam is widespread in Russia, which allows marriages with non-Muslims. In total, the Sunnis have four schools, three of which introduced a ban on interfaith marriage.
"Deputy Mufti of Tatarstan Valiullah Yakupov had a Christian wife. A number of Muslim figures in Russia are married to Christian women. The decision of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims can create certain problems," said Roman Silantyev.
Photo: from open sources