Mustafa Jemilev has supported the construction of Cathedral Church of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyivan Patriarchate

06 April 2012

The Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, MP of Ukraine, Mustafa Jemilev has initiated the address of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Human Rights, National Minorities and Interethnic Relations to the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych concerning the construction of the Cathedral Church of UOC of Kyivan Patriarchate.

The address, that touches upon the problems of allocation of land for the construction of the Cathedral Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyivan Patriarchate in Simferopol, points out that back in 2008 the location of the construction of the Cathedral Church “the Cathedral of the Redeemer” was officially approved – Kyivskaya Street, next to the Ukrainian School-Gymnasium in Simferopol. It was scheduled that this church to become the Spiritual Center of Ukrainian community of Crimea.

“The considerable finances, donated by the citizens from all around Ukraine, were spent for the technical and project documentation, design of the Cathedral church – said the address. – Despite this, on January 16, 2012 the Simferopol Town Council decided to refuse in allocation of this land plot”.

“The negative decision, – the author of the address, Head of the Committee, MP of Ukraine, Oleg Zarubinsky continued, has risen revolt in the society and could lead to worsening of the ethnic-religious situation in Crimea”.

The Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Human Rights, National Minorities and Interethnic Relations addressed the President of Ukraine, demanding to order the Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in AR Crimea to form the Council of Churches, that would carried out the functions of the consultative body in order to establish the dialogue, aimed at avoiding of the interethnic and interreligious confrontation and preserving stability in the region.

The Bishop of Simferopol and Crimea Klyment has also commented on the decision of Simferopol Town Council to refuse in allocation of land for the construction of the Cathedral Church of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyivan Patriarchate in Simferopol.

 “I am very happy and grateful to the Chairman of Mejlis, MP of Ukraine, Mustafa Jemilev for his support, provided to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyivan Patriarchate in the construction of the Cathedral Church “the Cathedral of the Redeemer”, – said Bishop of Simferopol and Crimea Klyment. Our Church and Mufti of Crimea treat the needs and rights of the believers, belonging to various religions very carefully. We always support each other in solution of the sensitive problems, related to the social authority. We have good and trustful relations. When the problem with allocation of land for the construction of the Central Mosque in Simferopol occurred, the Crimean eparchy of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyivan Patriarchate supported the aspirations of Muslims of the Crimean Tatar people. Today we need help and Crimean Tatars did not refuse. The address, initiated by Mustafa Jemilev to the Head of the State is a great moral support for us. Our Church has also addressed the President Yanukovych. I hope that this problem will be solved soon”.