On August, 1-3, in Avdeevka, Donetsk region, took place 3 years seminar of Muslims of Donbass. In the seminar took part more than 60 representatives of Muslim communities of Donetsk and Lugansk regions, as well as visitors from Kiev and Kharkov.

In the program of the seminar were heard four reports and discussed two topics. In the first day participants were addressed by the head of information department of "Аl-Raid" Islam Gimatudin with his report. He touched upon the topic of collective work on the way of call to Islam. Basically, the call and explanations can be performed by any believer, but the most effective is the collective call, according to the best example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions. Group of comprehensively educated Muslims can and should spread information concerning different aspects of Islam. It's not a secret thаt at the present moment one should tell about the doctrine of Islam and life of Muslims not only to interested non-Muslims, but to the followers of Islam as well. Thus, the priority directions are: education of children in the spirit of our religious tradition; representation in mass media; spiritual education of fellow Muslims, and, the most important, it is necessary to represent Islam not only by our words, but also in practice. For a successful call in all directions, efforts of separate Imams and preachers are obviously not enough, for organized, purposeful, and collective activity is needed.

On the second day of the seminar orientalist Said Ismagilov read his report devoted to the project of creation of All-Ukrainian Spiritual Management of Muslims of Ukraine "Ummah" (SMMU "Ummah"). The lecturer told about the prospective aims and tasks of the association of Muslims.

Moreover, in the second day of the seminar the graduate of Shariah faculty of Az-Zarka University (Jordan) Rustam Husnutdinov lectured on examples from life of companions of the Prophet Muhammad in education of Muslim Ummah. Indicative examples of companions are of great importance for us: as they built mutual relations and relations with gentiles, what methods of education of early Muslim society they used, etc. Their situation is in many aspects similar to the position of Muslims in European countries. As at the early period Muslims in Arabia constituted minority and were compelled to build their future in the environment of representatives of other faiths, we are in the similar position.

In the evening part of the program Shamil Bogdanov shared his impressions and observations about visiting Tatarstan, having noted, that very progressive and democratic legislation of Ukraine gives us fine prospects for further development of Islam in the country that favourably differs from Russian realities where many Muslim books get under curious interdictions. While in Tatarstan Islam is perceived as one of traditions of the Tatar people, in our country this is a conscious religious choice of every separate believer.

Last point in the program of the seminar was discussion on two vital topics. The first topic concerned approach of the holy month of Ramadan. Every Muslim was offered to develop personal program on Ramadan and to determine for himself, how many pages of the Holy Quran he is to read daily, how many times a week he is to visit Tarawih Salah in a mosque, to plan and carry out Iftars for friends and relatives, etc. For the one who fasts, the holy month of Ramadan passes very quickly and if not to plan for oneself, one often regretfully recalls how many good deeds one did not make to gain by it mercy and pardon of Allah the Almighty. Also, the participants of the seminar raised a question on cooperative charitable actions in different cities and towns of the country. It is necessary for us to try to carry out public Iftars by forces of local communities, not expecting the financial help from the international charitable Muslim funds. The idea that "abroad will help us" should be left. It is necessary to search for our own forces and reserves for vigorous activity in the country.

The second topic concerned the problem of creation of Muslim families where both spouses would be the followers of Islam. As it was noticed, it is very actual problem for the present moment. Mixed marriages lead to fast assimilation of Muslims in the country. Muslim families do not carry in them danger of interreligious conflict inside the family and are a pledge of further preservation of original Muslim tradition in Ukraine. It was offered to create a Muslim matrimonial web-page, but as it was reasonably objected, not every Muslim man, and especially not every Muslim woman will go on getting acquainted via Internet. It is very delicate aspect, and Muslim culture throughout centuries worked out practice of choice of the groom and the bride. Nevertheless, in acquaintance between Muslims the mail role should be played by parents and relatives. They, and most authorized representatives, wish their children only the best. Potential grooms and brides are free to choose if they like the suggested candidature or not. All in all, it is very hard question in our conditions. And how to behave in case with our country, where there are not so many Muslims? It was suggested that in every region there should be trustworthy and respected Imams to which young men and girls' guardians could address for help in the choice of the spouse.

The seminar was carried out in warm brotherly atmosphere, and one of the main achievements was rapprochement of Muslims from different regions and discussion of our most important problems. The participants unanimously expressed their wish to carry out such a meeting in the next year, too.

Said Ismagilov,
Donetsk