Muslim clerics are urging Uzbeks not to join Russia’s war in Ukraine, warning that doing so would be against the Islamic faith.

Members of “terrorist organizations” are trying to attract Muslims to participate in the conflict in Ukraine under the pretext of “jihad” or holy war, the Council of Muslims of Uzbekistan said, The Guardian reports.

But in reality, it is not permissible for a Muslim to participate in any military action except for the defense of his homeland, he said.

The statement by Uzbekistan’s top religious authority comes after Russia offered fast-track citizenship to foreigners who join its army as part of a wider campaign to strengthen its military.

A similar message was previously published by the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Russian Federation, which warned compatriots against creating volunteer battalions and/or participating in hostilities on the territory of foreign countries, for which criminal responsibility has been established,” Ukr. Pravda reports.

Uzbekistan’s state prosecutor’s office has warned its citizens against joining foreign armies, saying those who fight in military conflicts abroad are subject to criminal prosecution under Uzbek law.

A video that went viral on social media earlier this month shows two Uzbeks captured in fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces. The detainees stated that they were recruited in Moscow.

Kyrgyzstan warns its citizens living in Russia that they will face prison if they participate in the war against Ukraine

The Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Russia has warned its citizens in Russia that they will be prosecuted for their participation in the Russian Federation’s war in Ukraine.

“In connection with the adoption by the State Duma of the Russian Federation of legislative acts providing for a simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship by foreigners who have entered into a contract for service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Russian Federation warns citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic who are temporarily in the territory of the Russian Federation, not to take part in armed conflicts or military operations on the territory of foreign states for which criminal responsibility is established,” the embassy said in a statement. emphasizes that according to Article 256 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, the participation of citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic in hostilities on the territory of foreign countries is punishable by imprisonment for a term of up to ten years with confiscation of property.

• Following Turkey, Uzbekistan has also suspended the processing of payments through the Mir system, the Russian alternative to Visa and MasterCard.

Photo: Dreamtime

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