Khloponin discusses counteracting extremism with churchmen in Makhachkala

On September 21, Alexander Khloponin, Plenipotentiary of Russian President in the NCFD (North-Caucasian Federal District), and Magomedsalam Magomedov, head of Dagestan, discussed, at the meeting with representatives of the Muslim, Christian and Judaic faiths, the problems of religious extremism and the reason, forcing the youth to "go to the forest."

"I would like to hear from you about what we should do to really enable the people of the republic to live the life they want. We also need to preserve peace in the territory of the republic and not to admit that our children, the young generation were somehow exposed to false treatment of the religion, went to the forest and became members of bandit formations," Alexander Khloponin told the spiritual leaders.

According to his version, one of the reasons why young people give in to appeals of extremist leaders is in their spiritual illiteracy.

According to Mr Khloponin, "we should talk with youngsters in their language."

He also believes that low living standards are seriously influencing people's viewpoints.

President of Dagestan Magomedsalam Magomedov agreed that now there is "a struggle for the minds of our people." "This struggle is in every meter of our land and in every mosque. It is what we see; but invisibly it goes on the Internet," he said and reminded that the authorities of the republic plan to hold the All-Dagestan Congress in the near future.

"We want to welcome there representatives of all Dagestan nations and faiths. We'll even invite those who don't agree with us. Please, come and speak. We call everybody to dialogue," said the head of Dagestan.

Theologian Ilyas Ilyasov, who was given the floor, offered to open one large Islamic university in Dagestan, which would have the right to invite the well-known and deserved religious figures for teaching; and only its graduates could subsequently become imams of Dagestan mosques.

Further, the meeting was held in the regime, closed for the press.