Residents of Chechnya prepare rally against caricatures on Prophet Muhammad

Chechen authorities expect participation of half a million people on January 19 in a rally against publication of caricatures on Prophet Muhammad. Local residents are ready to attend the action.

The information about the rally in Grozny was sent to the SMS-service of the "Caucasian Knot". The portal of the head and the government of Chechnya states that the action was initiated by the republic's clergy; and the protest "will be attended by several hundred thousands of people."

The action under the motto "Love for Prophet Muhammad and protest against caricatures" will be attended by religious leaders from various regions of Northern Caucasus and the believers, unindifferent about what is happening now, said the spokesman for the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Chechnya, who stated that"Nobody in the world has the right, while hiding under the trivial slogans of the freedom of speech, to insult one of the greatest global religions."

The expected participation of half a million was reported by the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov in his page on the Instagram.

A female employee of one of republic's ministries said that at work they were warned about the must to take part in the action.

Let us note here that one of the most populous actions in Chechnya took place on October 7, 2014. Then, in honour of the birthday of Russian President Vladimir Putin, as reported by local authorities, the march and rally in Grozny were about 100,000 strong. Many participants then stated that they were forced to go.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.