16 January 2025

Occupiers Closed Islamic School in Simferopol District of Crimea

An Islamic school in the Simferopol District of occupied Crimea has been closed by a decision of the so-called “court.” The school operated independently of the so-called “Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea and Sevastopol” (SAMCS). The occupiers justified the closure under the pretext of “countering the propagation of Habashism.”

This action is part of a systematic effort to destroy religious freedom on the occupied peninsula. Of the 2,220 religious organizations operating in Crimea as of 2014, only 932 remained by January 2024. This significant reduction in the number of religious communities is the result of the illegal application of Russian legislation, pressure on religious leaders, and persecution of those who refuse to cooperate with the occupying administration.

The SAMCS, which is controlled by the occupiers and was created under pressure on Crimean mufti Emirali Ablayev, works jointly with the occupying security forces to exert pressure on Crimean mosques, aiming to subordinate their activities to the interests of the occupying administration. Muslims who are respected within their communities and refuse to comply are persecuted on religious and political grounds. According to a statement by the Kremlin-loyal “Muftiate of Crimea,” as of early 2023, only 10 mosques in Crimea remained outside its control. Aider Ismailov, the so-called deputy mufti of Crimea, openly stated that their liquidation was carried out with the involvement of law enforcement agencies of the occupation administration.

Crimean Tatars face systematic persecution both as the Indigenous people of Ukraine, historically deemed disloyal to Moscow, and as Muslims who strive to preserve independence in their religious practices. The Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea recorded at least 100 cases of persecution of Crimean Tatars on religious grounds as of January 2024.

The closure of the Islamic school in the Simferopol District and the destruction of independent religious communities reflect the systematic policy of the occupying administration aimed at erasing the identity of Crimean Tatars and restricting religious freedom in the occupied territory.