Russians are growing increasingly frustrated by Muslims praying in the middle of the street, according to reports.
While the Muslim population in Russia continues to grow, Russian natives are growing concerned at the increasing number of those choosing to pray in the middle of streets and cause inconvenience.
It is estimated that up to 15 per cent of the population (28million) is Muslim and it is now regarded as the second most popular religion in the country.
A report by Radio Free Europe recently detailed how a bus driver in Russia's Eastern city of Khabarovsk, believed to be a Central Asian migrant, was investigated as he prayed at a bus terminal while the passengers waited on his vehicle.
A video released online appeared to show the passengers waiting for up to 10 minutes for the bus driver to return to the bus. He was cleared of any wrongdoing, as he was on his break, but the video on social media caused a stir in Russian communities.
Valery Fadeev, head of the Russian Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights, said: "While I’m not against Islamic prayers, I think it’s pretty weird when someone on the subway rolls out a prayer mat or a minibus driver starts praying."
Meanwhile, a separate video was released earlier this year, showing another bus driver praying in front of his vehicle.
"The driver was advised to seek alternative, more secluded locations for religious rites to avoid causing inconvenience to others," a statement read.
Russians are growing increasingly frustrated by Muslims praying in the middle of the street, according to reports
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One of the roots of the population rise is believed to be Russia's need for labour from migrants originating from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Those who do move are unaccustomed to life in a big city and therefore may not understand why it could be seen as unusual behaviour to pray in front of a bus or on the street.
Street praying is the result of a lack of mosques, particularly in major cities such as Moscow and St Petersberg, according to worshippers.
There are estimated to be between 7,000 and 8,000 mosques in Russia.
But, Muslims pray five times a day, often during working hours, making long trips to mosques very difficult.
One Tajik taxi driver said he has seen migrants praying in the streets or "near buildings or rubbish bins."
Most of them are taxi drivers who fear they may miss their prayer time if they wait until they get to a mosque.
There are estimated between 7,000 and 8,000 mosques in Russia
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"It draws attention and builds resentment toward migrants," the driver told Radio Free Europe. "I respect people's right to religious freedom, but I think we shouldn't add fuel to hostility toward migrants by praying where it inconveniences people."
Much of the frustration stems from the deadly terror attack at the Crocus City Hall in March 2024.
The tragic incident saw four people, linked to Isis, open fire at concertgoers, massacring 149 people and leaving 609 injured.
Central Asian migrants in particular are said to have experienced heightened police raids, deportations, and general judgment and mistreatment in Russia in the aftermath of the attack.
Because of this, street praying is often seen as provocative, and there has been a small increase in violence against those who practice.
Despite this, Russian rights activist, Valentina Chupik, has expressed her concern that this criticism is reinforcing stereotypes and potentially even fuel discrimination for the growing population of Muslims in Russia.
A blanket ban on street praying would not be unheard of.
France banned such acts in 2011, after over 1,000 Muslims lined the streets in Paris, resulting in counter-protests.