Russian President praises Islamic clerics campaigning against extremism

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Medvedev counts on help from the Muslim community in the fight against extremism. "We will fight terror consistently and without compromise," Medvedev said, addressing Russian muftis on Tuesday. "Muslim organizations are in the vanguard, and your struggle for the purity of faith requires great personal courage," he said. About two dozen Muslim spiritual leaders, who resisted attempts to tie extremism with Islam, have died at the hands of bandits in recent years, Medvedev said. He acknowledged that the problem of terrorism had no quick solution, but added that "what matters is the unity of our intentions and consistency of our efforts."  Bringing those who have not committed severe crimes back to normal life is another important task, to which both the federal and regional authorities, and the Muslim community, should contribute, Medvedev said. "If we act consistently, we will achieve this goal," he said. A consolidated position of all our citizens and support from the international community, including the Muslim nations, is necessary, he said. Developing friendly ties with the Islamic world is a top priority for Russia, he said./129