In Mr. Khuzin’s opinion, in order to effectively prevent suicide bomb attacks, it is necessary to punish the families of suicide bombers. He thinks the relatives of such terrorists should be restricted in their rights.

“If a terrorist goes to kill other people and themselves, he should be aware that his relatives will be held responsible,” Mr. Khuzin said. “If he does not care about his own life and the life of those people he is going to kill, family sentiments could stop him. On the other hand, each family should realize that if it brings up a terrorist, all family members will be outcasts in the society. Of course, they will not go to prison, but they could and should be restricted in their rights and social benefits, for example, pension plans,” he said.

According to Mr. Khuzin, he had discussed the issue with Talgat Tadzhuddin, Supreme Mufti of the Central Spiritual Department, and this is the official position of the Department. But law enforcement agencies did not support the idea.

A source in the Russian Interior Ministry told the newspaper that the introduction of the proposed measures would require amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation that could lead to serious consequences. He also said that the amendments would not have the desired effect. First, suicide bomb attacks are not often in Russia, unlike in Israel. Second, it is unlikely that suicide bombers will care about their parents’ pensions.

“Indeed, Israel destroys the homes of suicide terrorists, but there is a difference between Palestinian suicide bombers and our Chechen women terrorists. In Palestine, they are idealists, and in our country, they are women who see no future for themselves after losing their husbands, and who have no children. As a rule, they have no other relatives,” the source in the Interior Ministry said.

“We will not support this proposal,” said Ravil Gainutdin, the leader of the Council of Muftis of Russia. “Any Muslim should know the Koran, which lays down that everyone is only responsible for his own sins,” he added.

Mukhammedgali Khuzin and his supporters wanted to declare a jihad against the United States on the eve of the Iraq war.