SAM: Chechen pilgrims will go for hajj till October 9

Till October 9, all Chechen pilgrims to go for hajj this year will be sent to Saudi Arabia. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent at the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) for Chechnya.

"To carry passengers, two flights one in the morning and one in the evening are performed every day from the airport. In total, 21 flights will be performed," said a representative of the Muftiate of Chechnya.

Chechen residents who go for hajj this year note the high cost of performing a pilgrimage. "To go to Saudi Arabia and stay there, a person needs 115,000-120,000 roubles," said Ramzan I., a resident of the republic.

He has noted that not all people can afford such expenses, "so, many people seek to go for hajj at the expense of funds allocated by businessmen or authorities of the republic."

According to the story of Khadjimurad A., another local resident, in neighbouring Dagestan, the cost of the trip is much lower and does not exceed 70,000-80,000 roubles.

"I do not understand why we have to spend more money to go for hajj, since our republics are virtually situated in the same region of Northern Caucasus. A plane from Grozny flies not longer distance than a plane from Makhachkala; however, a ticket for it is much more expensive for some reason," Khadjimurad A. has noted.