Participants of Video Web Conference Moscow - Kazan: the reason for Maksud Sadykov's murder might have been his endevour for a dialogue with moderate Salafis

A video web conference Moscow - Kazan: "Murder of Maksud Sadykov: will the murderers be found?" passed off on June, 9, in RIA "Novosti", Moscow. The participants honoured the victim's memory and discussed possible reasons for the attempt at the scientist. 

Enver Kisriev, Head of the department of the Caucasus of Civilizational and Regional Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, remarked that Maksud Sadykov had belonged to the young generation of Moslem activists. Kisriev described him as "an intelligent man of the time, a sincere believer".  

Speaking of the Institute of Theology Sadykov has headed Kisriev said that the Institute promoted solid knowledge in the spheres of both theology and secular sciences. 

Rafik Muhammetshin, Chancellor of Kazan Russian Islamic University, said that Sadykov had enjoyed great authority with the Moslem community of Russia.

"Everybody used to consult him in Kazan, Moscow and Ufa. Before submitting some initiative to the Ministry of Education people asked for his advice", Muhammetshin said. 

Vafa Yarullin, Mufti of Vladimir region, described the personal image of Maksud Sadykov as it remained in his memory after almost 20 years of collaboration. "He was a nice, intelligent and honest man. He was always smiling and never spoke in a loud voice. A great number of people from everywhere were striving to contact him", he said.  

Albir Krganov, Deputy Chairman of Central Religious Board of Muslims (CRBM), emphasized that it was not the first murder of this kind and expressed his belief that Maksud Sadykov's death would strengthen "integration of people of good will in their struggle against evil". 

Enver Kisriev was much less optimistic. He thought that the real murderers would never be found.

"They will encircle a group of gunmen, kill one of them and then identify him as the murderer. The file will be closed down and shelved. This is just what has always happened during the past years: not a single murderer of a popular religious figure was brought before the court", Kisriev summarized. 

The scientist expressed doubt that there were representatives of radical Islamites known as "Wahabits" or "Salafis" at the background of Maksud Sadykov's murder. He reminded that the lost theologist had sticked to a centrist position recognizing the right of existence for the so-called moderate Salafis never holding arms in their hands which many people disliked.

Answering the question of the reasons for such a great number of high-profile murders in Dagestan Kisriev suggested a high level of confrontation between the administration who wished to "bend everything to their will" and traditional clan and domestic structures as its major reason.

Rafik Muhammetshin agreed with his Moscow colleague's opinion confirming that the most probable reason for Maksud Sadykov's murder was his endevour to establish a dialogue with moderate Salafis.

Public figures of Dagestan and experts on the Caucasus consider that there are forces resisting to the process of reconciliation of religious communities of the republic at the background of this murder.