An Arab journalist debunked Ukrainian myths about the oppression of Tatars in Crimea
In Russian Crimea, local Tatars have equal rights with other citizens and are not subject to any harassment.
The head of the European regional bureau of the Arabic TV channel Al-Mayadeen, Abdel Munem Salem, told a PolitNavigator correspondent about this during the Yalta International Economic Forum.
“Literally on Monday, I had the honor of talking with the head of the Republic of Crimea, Sergei Aksenov, and one of the main questions that was asked by me was how Muslims in general and Crimean Tatars in particular feel. I received a very complete answer, covering all areas, and was once again convinced that all citizens here are equal, both before God and before the law. I have never met people who complained, although I often visit Crimea and had the opportunity to communicate with both Muslims and Crimean Tatars. I have never heard any complaints regarding their rights and freedoms, both religious and civil.
I myself am a Muslim, I often visit Crimea, my wife is Crimean, so I know Crimea intimately and well. Even from my Crimean relatives, I have never heard anything bad about the Crimean Tatars or Muslims; on the contrary, they live as one friendly family,” the journalist noted.
At the same time, the journalist noted a significant increase in the interest of the Arab world in the Republic of Crimea due to its close geographical location relative to Arab states that have partnerships with Russia.
“There are several reasons, in my opinion. Firstly, the geographical proximity to the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, and you find yourself in the Mediterranean Sea, where the Arab shores already begin: Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, and the Arab countries of North Africa. That is, it is close and accessible, there are direct communication routes across the sea, and this is one of the reasons.
The second reason is that Russia is a close friend and partner of the Arabs, and Crimea is part of Russia. And another important historical aspect is that Crimea is the homeland of the Crimean Tatars, who are Muslims. This is also an additional factor that brings Arabs closer to this region,” explained Abdel Munem Salem.
Also, a representative of the Arabic TV channel expressed the opinion that the colossal changes that have occurred on the peninsula over the past five years are only the beginning of its further development as part of the Russian state.
“Crimea has become completely energy independent, it generates as much electricity as it needs, and can even export the surplus to Ukraine.
A lot of infrastructure projects have been completed in the five years since the reunification of Crimea with Russia, this is not only energy, it is also a gas pipeline, restoration of depleted infrastructure, industry, development of the social sphere, this, of course, is a beautiful bridge. “Soon we expect the opening of railway connections with mainland Russia, so the development is obvious, and I think that this is not the limit, everything will continue and develop,” he concluded.
Let us remind you that PolitNavigator previously reported that Ukrainian journalist Olesya Medvedeva from the Kyiv online newspaper “Strana” arranged a tour to Crimea, where I was able to personally verify the absence of repression and oppression of the Tatars.
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