President Putin and Muslim religious leaders of
Bashkortostan (source: Russian Presidential Press and
Information Office, Wikimedia Commons).
While the Muslim world initially reacted with indifference to the Russia-Ukraine war, the conflict has gradually given rise to opposing positions among Muslims and their religious leaders, with Shiites often supportive of Russia, Sunnis calling for an end to the conflict, and jihadists rejoicing in a war of opposing “miscreants,” writes Pierre-Jean Luizard (French National Centre for Scientific Research) in the Bulletin de l’Observatoire International du Religieux (May). The initial indifference is easily understandable, since there seemed to be little at stake for Muslims, with their own experiences of successive crises. Iran took the most pro-Russian position due to geopolitics and historical ties going back to the Soviet Union. Russian support for the Syrian regime is also valued by Hezbollah in Lebanon, and support for Putin seems to be widespread there. But the reactions of other Shia actors (such as in Iraq) have been more nuanced.
Sunni religious authorities have called for an end to the conflict and a peaceful resolution. Most Sunnis seem reluctant to take sides. Muslim public opinion is characterized by hope that the war might be the harbinger of a multipolar world, marking the end of Western domination. Among Islamists, supporters of Al Qaeda as well as followers of the Islamic State have rejoiced in watching a war taking place between their enemies. As for the Taliban, despite their historical enmity with Russia, they at first adopted a neutral stance and later signed economic deals with Russia, following a pragmatic approach as they face a very difficult economic situation.
(Bulletin de l’Observatoire International du Religieux, https://obsreligion.cnrs.fr/bulletin/comment-la-guerre-en-ukraine-a-accentue-les-divisions-du-monde-musulman/)
