Laying flowers at Kadyrov's monument provokes interest of Chechen residents in officials' attitude to Islam

While commenting on the event dedicated to the anniversary of Akhmat Kadyrov's birthday, residents of Chechnya and social network users have claimed that in the republic, officials violate the Islam prohibition of erecting statues. Some Islamic scholars consider the above mentioned prohibition not applicable if the monument does not imply any religious content, Caucasus experts explain.

"It is not our tradition to carry flowers to a grave or lay them at monuments. Needless to say that erecting statues contradicts the Islam concepts," said local resident Akhmad.

Orthodox Islam prohibits depicting a person, but in practice, the tradition of erecting statues appeared even in Arab countries, says Islamic expert Leonid Syukiyainen. He notes that monuments to historical and political figures have been erected in many Muslim countries.

Islamic expert Igor Alekseev also confirms there is a wide range of opinions voiced by contemporary Islamic scholars regarding erecting monuments.

Historically, in Sunni Islam, which prevails in Northern Caucasus, no monuments were erected, but the Soviet era period made adjustments to traditions, explains Caucasus expert Mikhail Roschin. He believes that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov treats monuments to Akhmat Kadyrov as a tribute to his father.