20 October 2006, 22:59
Dagestan Moslems are against introduction of Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture in schools
Moslems of Dagestan stand against introduction into curriculums of secular schools of the discipline "Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture" (FOC) and in general against teaching any religion, Muhammad-Rasul-hadji Saaduev, chief imam of the Central Jumah-Mosque of the capital of Dagestan, head of the Board of Imams of Makhachkala, told the "Islam.Ru." "In this connection, we were surprised by the position taken by the leadership of the Coordination Centre of the North Caucasian Moslems who supported introduction of the FOC in schools," he added.
Touching on introduction of new disciplines in schools, Saaduev finds reason in teaching the general subject on fundamentals of culture and religions of all the nations of Russia, the RIA "Dagestan" reports.
"In Dagestan, we try to make accent on out-of-school religious education and family spiritual upbringing. You shouldn't impose your confession, especially through use of ordinary schools for this purpose. "Official religiosity" has no prospects by its very definition," Saaduev believes.
We remind you that starting from the current school year, the FOC has become a component of mandatory school curriculum in the Belgorod, Kaluga, Bryansk and Smolensk Regions. In 11 other Regions, the Orthodox subject is now taught on the facultative basis, the "Russkaya Linia" (Russian Line) reports.
