Russia’s human rights movement veteran and Moscow Helsinki Group Chairman Lyudmila Alekseyeva said Moscow needs more mosques.
“There are many Muslims and very few mosques in Moscow. There is not enough room, especially on big holidays,” Alekseyeva told Interfax on Monday.
Izvestia reported on Monday that the Moscow authorities are ready to provide six sites for the construction of mosques in different administrative districts of Moscow (specifically, in Southern Butovo, Lyublino, and near the metro station Shosse Entuziastov).
“Mosques are needed. Of course, we should heed the opinion of local residents. Some people don’t want mosques near their apartment buildings. Some people don’t want an Orthodox church. Some people don’t want something else. You can always choose a site that will not be under anyone’s window,” Alekseyeva said.
Alexander Belov, a leader of the movement Russkiye, told Interfax on Monday he opposes the construction of new mosques in Moscow.
“I would not like a mosque to be built near my apartment building. But I don’t live in Lyublino or Butovo, I live in Orekhovo,” Belov said.
“We need to ask local residents. We should follow the European practice of taking local opinion into account in everything. That way, everything will be quite peaceful and calm,” he said.