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Moldovan Government To Review Recognition Of Islam


An Anti Muslim march in Chisinau on May 18
An Anti Muslim march in Chisinau on May 18
CHISINAU -- Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat has pledged to review the recent registration of Islam as one of the country's recognized religions, RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports.

Filat made the pledge at a meeting with Metropolitan Vladimir, the head of the powerful Moldovan Orthodox Church.

The Justice Ministry registered the Islamic League in mid-March, after Moldova's tiny Muslim minority had tried in vain for years to obtain some kind of official recognition.

The registration triggered a wave of protests from the dominant Orthodox Church.

Last week, more than 1,000 Christians rallied in the country's main cities in protest, and this week a number of priests warned that they will stop mentioning the country's leaders in their sermons, which is common practice.

Vladimir assured Filat on May 25 that priests will continue to pray for the health of the country's leaders if the government revokes the recognition of Islam.

Moldova will hold local elections on June 5.
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