Moscow court suspends Muslim cultural center for 90 days
"Initiative" center was penalized after banned religious books were found in May search; organizers call the ruling surprise
MOSCOW (MNTV) — A court has suspended the activities of the Muslim cultural center “Initiative” in Moscow’s Krasnoselsky district for 90 days, the outlet IslamNews reported.
The Meshchansky District Court issued the ruling in early August after a May 15 police search found four books and brochures about Islam that appear on Russia’s register of banned “extremist” materials — a designation rights groups say has been applied broadly to mainstream Islamic texts.
A case was filed against the center’s owners for distributing prohibited literature.
The center’s leadership said the decision came as a surprise, noting that Moscow courts in similar cases typically issue warnings or fines, and argued that storing books in a location not accessible to the public does not breach the law.
The organization said it ran social and educational work, including lectures for migrants under an anti-terrorism program, adaptation classes, and psychological and spiritual support, with visitors including soldiers, veterans, and Tatars from Crimea and Donbas.
It said it kept regular contact with law enforcement, informing officials weekly about the content of the Friday sermon.
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