Source: The Washington Times

Wire Service: UPI

http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20050317-042309-6926r.htm

On March 17, 2005 United Press International reported, "A new organization is seeking to unite, with the blessings of the Kremlin, members of the historically Islamic ethnic communities of the Russian Federation, a development that will undermine the powers of the existing Muslim spiritual directorates but may create a force capable of challenging the Russian government itself.

On Tuesday, a group of political and business figures with roots in the Muslim nationalities of the Russian Federation announced that they were creating a new movement -- to be called 'Islamic Heritage' -- to counter extremism, promote cooperation between Muslims and the Russian state, and support development projects in Chechnya and elsewhere."