Gatsalov is the only candidate for Mufti of North Ossetia

Election of the Mufti of North Ossetia is scheduled for March 16. During the 6 years that the republic's Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) is headed Khadjimurat Gatsalov, the Muftiate failed to establish due relationships with power agents, said the Mufti. However, the members of the Muslim community, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot", believe that by the level of authority and respect there is no equal figure to Gatsalov in North Ossetia.

Gatsalov was appointed to the post of acting Mufti of North Ossetia on July 14, 2010, after the post of the head of the SAM was left by Ali Evteev.

The SAM notes that so far, apart from Khadjimurat Gatsalov, there are no other candidates to the post of the Mufti of North Ossetia.

As noted by Khadjimurat Gatsalov, the voting at the election of the Mufti will be open.

The republic's Muftiate has poor relations with the law enforcement system, he said, adding that from the activities carried out by the Muftiate it is seen, "what kind of work is underway against radicalization and extremism."

He noted that recently threats addressed to him have appeared on the Internet. His appeal to the prosecutor's office gave no results, Gatsalov has added.

The Mufti said that his aims is to create an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding not only among Muslims and non-Muslims, but also at all levels of public relations. His second goal is an increase of Islamic education.

Batraz Arshiev, Imam of a Sunni mosque in Vladikavkaz, said that he would support the current Mufti at the election. He believes that Gatsalov enjoys great respect among community members.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.