Ingushetia: Council of Teips calls on Mufti Khamkhoev to resign after his speech at gathering in Grozny

Elders have responded to the participation of Mufti Isa Khamkhoev and Ingush religious figures at the gathering in Grozny, where resonant statements were made against theologians and leaders of Ingushetia.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 2, at the gathering of followers of Sufi concept of Islam held in Grozny, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov stated that he banned a dialogue with Salafis. Meanwhile, he has voiced criticism against Ingush religious leaders Khamzat Chumakov and Isa Tsechoev and said that in case if they try to preach in Chechnya, "they will face big troubles."

On February 2, a meeting of the Council of Ingush Teips, represented by elders of the Ingush clans, took place in Ingushetia. Participants of the meeting have voiced a tough response to the actions of the Ingush religious figures, who on that day took part at the gathering of followers of Sufi concept in Grozny. The statements voiced at the gathering by the Chechen leader and members of the Chechen Muftiyat were treated as interference in the internal affairs of Ingushetia and threats against the Ingush theologians, reports the "Ingushetia" National TV Channel.

According to the TV Channel, following the discussion, the elders have signed a resolution, in which they have stated, inter alia, that they "will not allow anyone to drive a wedge between the Chechen and Ingush peoples" and that "imams should be elected by people of villages and towns."

"For the sake of consolidating and maintaining peace and tranquillity of the people of Ingushetia, we ask Ingush Mufti Isa Khamkhoev to resign," states one of the main points of the resolution as quoted by the TV Channel.

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