How Muslims Protected Christian Shrines
Arguments that changed the decision of the Soviet authorities
Imams and activists appealed not only to religious, but also to historical arguments: the Assumption Cathedral was built with the participation of Muslims, whose ancestors lived in the Astrakhan Khanate for centuries. The archives contain documents about donations from Muslims for the restoration of the temple in the 19th century. The cathedral was a dominant architectural feature of the city, which made it valuable for all citizens. After such a popular appeal, the authorities refused to demolish it, limiting themselves to closing the cathedral for worship. The building was used as a warehouse but escaped destruction.
In the 1990s, the cathedral was returned to the Church and today it is again in operation. Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus Kirill, visiting Astrakhan in 2010, noted, “This story is a lesson for all of us. When believers of different religions unite to protect good, even godless forces retreat. The Muslims of Astrakhan have not only preserved a building, they have preserved the conscience of our people.”
Islamic roots of mercy
The protection of the Assumption Cathedral by Muslims is not an accident, but a continuation of the tradition established by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Caliph Umar . This episode, like many others, reminds us that interfaith solidarity is not a utopia but a reality forged over centuries of shared history. The Koran says (meaning of the commentary), “…Help one another in piety and God-fearingness but do not help one another in sin and transgression...” (Sura Al-Maida, ayah 2).
Let the example of Astrakhan Muslims inspire us today; after all, as Patriarch Kirill noted, “temples are built of stone, but they are held together by human faith and mutual respect”.
Fourteen Centuries of Protection: Muslims Keep the Keys to the Main Christian Shrine
The tradition started by Caliph Umar is still alive. The Nusaybeh family, Sunni Muslims from Jerusalem, have kept the keys to the main Christian shrine, called the “Church of the Holy Sepulchre”, for 1,363 years. Every morning, the family opens the doors of the church and closes them in the evening, ensuring security. Wajih Nusaybeh, the keeper of the keys, called this mission “a living treaty between religions”.
Buinaksk, 1929: An Interfaith Union in Defense of the Church
In the winter of 1929, the authorities of Buinaksk (a city in Dagestan) decided to close the Russian cathedral church in order to turn it into a club. This decision provoked an unexpected reaction: local Muslims came out in defense of the Orthodox church. During the festive prayer, believers were read a call to support the Orthodox community. Muslims, following the principles of Islam, demanded respect for the shrines of non-believers. Jews joined the protest: Rabbi Mushailov emphasized the need for unity. A letter found on activist Zhyromsky said: “We have developed good relations. We are not defending walls, but everyone’s right to faith.” This episode is not just an act of civil courage but the embodiment of the Koranic covenant.
A legacy that is still relevant today
The history of Astrakhan, Buinaksk, the treaties of the Prophet ﷺ and Umar , the mission of the Nusaybeh family - all these are links in one chain. They remind us: protecting foreign shrines is not a gesture of tolerance but the fulfillment of an Islamic duty.
Today, when extremists try to tarnish Islam with violence, these examples are a response to their lies. True faith does not sow fear but unites. The 14th-century Christian historian al-Makin wrote: “Muslims defended our churches, for so they were commanded by the Prophet ﷺ, whose mercy was wider than the desert.”
