Valiulla Makhmutovich Yakupov (4 September 1963 – 19 July 2012) was a prominent Muslim cleric in Tatarstan, Russia[2] and the deputy to the Muslim province's chief mufti.[3] He was also known as a strong critic of radical Islamist organisations which advocate Salafism, a radical form of Islam.[4] According to news agency Interfax, Yakupov founded Russia's first Islamic literary publishing house.[5]
Valiulla Makhmutovich Yakupov Валиулла Махмутович Якупов Вәлиулла Мәхмүт улы Якупов | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 4 September 1963[1] |
| Died | 19 July 2012 (aged 48) |
| Cause of death | Assassination by gunshot |
| Nationality | Tatar |
| Occupation | Muslim cleric |
Death
editAssassination
editYakupov was shot dead while walking on the Zarya Street estate in Kazan, Tatarstan, where he lived, according to a statement released by Russia's Investigative Committee.[6][7] However, there is another report that he was killed while sitting on his porch.[8] Shortly thereafter, the chief mufti, Ildus Faizov, was wounded in the legs after an explosive device blasted through his vehicle.[9] A day after Yakupov's assassination, Russian police detained five people suspected to be involved in Yakupov's killing.[10]
Response
editRussia's Council of Muftis has branded the fateful murder of Yakupov as a terror attack.[7] "Unfortunately, deadly attacks on religious leaders have become common," Vladimir Legoyda, the chief of the Synodal Information Department, said. Reports from the media suggest that Yakupov was an anti-extremist activist and the attack may have taken place due to his strong opposition to radicalism.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Valiulla Yakupov | VK".
- ^ "Valiulla Yakupov Murder: Russian Imam's Suspected Killers Detained". Huffington Post. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ^ "Top Muslim cleric Yakupov gunned down in Russia". Fox News. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ^ Tom Parfitt (19 July 2012) Russian Muslim leader injured in car bomb and deputy shot dead Telegraph; retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ^ "Russia Muslim leaders attacked in Tatarstan". BBC. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ^ "Five Arrested in Tatar Attacks". The Journal of Turkish Weekly. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ^ a b c Terrorist attack has shaken Tatarstan's religious community Russia and India Report 19 July 2012; retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ^ Roggio, Bill (29 August 2012). "'Black Widow' assassinates moderate Muslim cleric in Russia's Caucasus". Long War Journal. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ "Suspected Killers of Russian Imam Are Detained". The Wall Street Journal. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ^ "Russian imam's suspected killers detained". Associated Press. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.[dead link]
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