For the latest in a series from Oxford's twin city of Perm, in Russia, Ilham-Hazrat Bibarsov, chairman of the Religious Administration of Muslims of Perm Region is interviewed by Yanya Kupratsevich of Business Class newspaper.

IN 2018, the oldest mosque in Perm will celebrate its 115th anniversary. Today thousands of worshippers from all over the city gather here, and on important Holy Days Muslims come from throughout the region. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the mosque has been the focal point for Muslims of the Kama Region (i.e. the Perm Region, from the name of the river on which Perm stands).

YK: Ilham-Hazrat, can you tell us about the Muslim community in the Kama Region. How has it developed since it first appeared?

IH: There is 1,000-year history of Tatars and Muslims in the Kama Region. A religious administration was already established under Catherine II in the 18th century. The construction of the Central Mosque in Osinskaya Street began in 1900 following a resolution by the City Duma (city council).

Oxford Mail:

In 1903 the mosque opened its doors to worshippers, and this, of course, inaugurated a new phase in the history of Islam in Perm. This year the oldest mosque in the Kama Region will celebrate its 115th anniversary.

It is quite surprising that during all this time it has never been modernised, but it certainly needs to be now, so we have asked the Perm Region Governor's administration for help. For Perm's worshippers, the mosque is still a centre of attraction.

They come here to pray from all corners of the city, even though mosques or prayer rooms are available in certain other districts. The Central Mosque has space for about a thousand people. We have six imams here.

In addition to the Central Mosque, the city has several other mosques, and also prayer rooms - they are not so grand, but they can accommodate up to 900 people.

YK: Are there any plans to build new mosques in Perm?

IH: One construction project is in its final stages – this new mosque will have been financed by its congregation. We are also discussing the building of a further mosque in Perm.

YK: If there are new mosques opening in the city, does that mean there’s a real need for them?

IH: Believers need them, certainly. In outlying districts it is important that there is a place for prayer within walking distance, so the local residents themselves are calling for a mosque to be built.

YK: How do you explain the growing number of worshippers?

IH: Today almost 90 per cent of the community is made up of people who have moved to Perm from elsewhere. The number of migrants in Perm has been growing since 2005. But in the past couple of years, I have noticed that the community has been expanding due to increased attendance by local people who used not go to the mosque.

Oxford Mail:

YK: So, do you think religious belief is increasing these days?

IH: I don't know if it can be called an upswing or even a peak, but certain people do indeed find themselves in religion. For example, I was talking recently with a Perm woman who adopted Islam. I asked her why she had decided to do so. It turned out that she just started independently to become fascinated by the religion and to read about the faith and its history.

YK: What is the average age of Muslims who attend the Central Mosque?

IH: 25-40. A lot of young people, although there are always older people at the mosque, too.

YK: Is the Muslim community of Perm mostly Tatar?

IH: The Kama Region differs markedly from other regions. Muslims of 15 nationalities gather today in the Central Mosque – from Russians to Africans. There are worshippers from India, Sudan, Algeria, other African countries, Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, China, Turkey. There are Dungans (ethnic Chinese Muslims) from Kyrgyzstan. Many of them are students, there are ex-military men, as well as those who moved here with their families several decades ago.

YK: How do Perm Muslims celebrate the main holidays?

IH: Like all Muslims, we have two main holidays – Ramadan Bayram and Kurban Bayram. After the traditional prayers for the festival we have a meal, hold tea parties and visit guests - these are the most important things. The idea of celebrating Kurban Bayram was picked up in recent years by the city council - a festival takes place in Gorky Park that attracts about 5,000-6,000 people. In general, for Muslims, a holiday is a day when a person commits no sin.

YK: Is there a problem of radicalisation in Perm today?

IH: In the wake of ISIS and the war in Syria, people began to understand more about 'good' Islam. That's why professional ministers are needed to explain what Islam is, why the religion itself arose and where it leads to. One meets radical opinions most often amongst the 15-19 age group but in this case the main thing is to talk and explain everything.

YK: What sort of relations do you personally have with other faiths in the Kama Region?

IH: We are very friendly, we always talk to each other at joint events, we attend open days: recently people of different faiths came to the mosque, and I, in turn, visited the synagogue and the Lutheran and Catholic churches. We spiritual people generally have no problems talking to each other.

YK: To what extent does the Muslim community manage to keep up to date with the modern world?

IH: We have a website run by the Perm clergy, we publish our own journal and books.

The mosque has a scrolling message board.