From Crimea to Cameroon: Ukraine's minorities reflect on life during war

"After almost four years of war, a sense of cohesion has grown. Various locations, Ukraine When the war began, the Muhammad Asad Islamic Cultural Centre in western Ukraine opened its doors to displaced people from across the country, turning classrooms and prayer halls into temporary shelters. Muslims lined study rooms with mattresses, cooked meals and distributed water acts they saw as ordinary, yet gestures that quietly challenged long-held misconceptions about Islam."

"Ibrahim Zhumabekov, the centre's 29-year-old imam, said misinformation in Ukraine is prevalent, including claims that Muslims are terrorists and that their faith subjugates women. But amid the chaos of the early days of the war, these views were dispelled as hundreds of Ukrainians found peace at the centre and as women and children were given female-only quarters to sleep, change and wash in privacy."

After almost four years of war, a sense of cohesion has grown among communities. When the war began, the Muhammad Asad Islamic Cultural Centre in western Ukraine opened its doors to displaced people from across the country, turning classrooms and prayer halls into temporary shelters. Volunteers lined study rooms with mattresses, cooked meals and distributed water, gestures that challenged long-held misconceptions about Islam. The centre's imam, Ibrahim Zhumabekov, said misinformation includes claims that Muslims are terrorists and that their faith subjugates women, but those views were dispelled as hundreds found peace and women received female-only quarters. The centre also highlights Ukraine's longstanding Muslim heritage, including figures like Muhammad Asad.

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