Ananova:

A leading Russian Muslim cleric is calling for the legalisation of polygamy to boost rapidly dropping birth rates.

Ismail Shangareyev says allowing men to have multiple wives would not only "tackle the current demographic catastrophe, but also resolve moral issues such as adultery in marriage".

If current trends persist, Russia's population will decrease from today's 143 million to a mere 55 million by 2055.

But the Russian Orthodox Church condemned the idea, saying: "We see monogamy as the highest form of marital relations between men and women.

"Although polygamy is endorsed by both Islam and the Old Testament, Christians are only allowed to be monogamous."