Muslim summer camps open for children of all religions

Several mosques in Central Russia's Republic of Tatarstan are offering children of all religions the chance to spend their holidays in Muslim summer camps. Clerics say the move is aimed at reviving traditional spiritual values and promoting tolerance amon
Iman is one of the summer Islamic children's camps that have opened in Tatarstan over the past few years.
Girls live separately from boys in the camp. The customs are those followed in Muslim society: girls clean the table themselves, and after meals comes a prayer.
It's only been two years since an Islamic children's camp opened in the city of Zainsk. Prior to this, boys and girls had to spend summer months in neighbouring towns. Now there's no doubt, what their top choice is.
“If a camp is far away, we get homesick. And here in Iman – everything is close – we go home every day and come back in the morning,” says Ksenia Popova, the camp resident.
“It's my fifth year in a camp. I like it. I used to go to Nizhnekamsk, but I like it here best. I've got more friends in Zainsk than anywhere else and it's much more interesting here,” says Adilya Salikhova, another resident of the camp.
The number of children who would like to stay in the camp has increased since the previous year. But, despite the growing popularity, there are also some problems. The lack of teachers is one of them. The authorities have to invite specialists from other towns. The Arabic teacher, Gulnar Kashapova, lives 70 KM away from Zainsk. Her efforts seem to be paying off.
“I've already learnt to read the suras – different chapters of the Koran. In our lessons we also learn how to read traditional Muslim prayers and many other things as well,” Adilya Salikhova notes.
What is so special about Iman and many other similar camps across the Republic is that it hosts children from families of different nationalities and religions. One of the reasons why their parents' wish them come here is, probably, the opportunity to see the world from a different and a particular angle.