| Russia's three main Muslim organizations are joining forces to combat Islamic extremism. They have also vowed to work with the government and Russian society through a new joint council. The council is made up of The Co-ordination Centre for Muslims of the Northern Caucasus, the Council of Russian Muftis and the Central Spiritual Directorate of Russian Muslims. They say they will work with the Russian government in its fight against extremism and terrorism. Russia has seen a surge in radical Islam, notably in Chechnya where some separatist rebels are fighting Russian forces under the banner of fundamentalism. |