In Chechnya, opening of mosques highlights lack of unity among Muftiates in NCFD

Chechen Mufti Salakh Mezhiev and Ramzan Kadyrov announced the holding of Friday prayers in all juma mosques (Friday mosques) of the republic on June 12, while Kabardino-Balkaria decided not to open mosques. In their comments on Instagram, residents of Chechnya expressed their joy at the resumption of collective prayers.

The Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Chechnya disseminated a video appeal from Chechen Mufti Salakh Mezhiev about the resumption of Friday prayers in all mosques in the region.

On the same day, the Muftiate of Chechnya also posted a corresponding appeal voiced by Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of the republic. "The upcoming ruzba-namaz (Friday prayer, – note of the "Caucasian Knot") [will be held] in all mosques of our republic in compliance with all necessary measures," announced Ramzan Kadyrov translated from the Chechen language by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

By 12:34 p.m. Moscow time on June 8, the post with the Ramzan Kadyrov's video appeal on the "Grozny" TV public account on Instagram gained 96,100 views, and 597 comments were left under it. In their comments, social network users supported the decision to open mosques. "The opportunity to attend ruzba-namaz is great news," wrote, in particular, user argun_139.

In Ingushetia, religious leaders planned to resume collective Friday prayers starting from June 12. However, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Kabardino-Balkaria decides not to open mosques until the epidemiological situation improves. The Muftiate of Kabardino-Balkaria found it unconvincing that shops and supermarkets had been opened in the region and that people had been allowed to walk in parks. "A mosque is not a market. People [stand] there close to each other and put their heads on a carpet. So, it is difficult to disinfect everything in a mosque," the SAM of Kabardino-Balkaria explained.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 8, 2020 at 12:34 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.