Parishioners of Shamkhal mosque decide to leave former Imam

Officials of the Dagestani Muftiate and residents of the settlement of Shamkhal have agreed to leave Bii-Murad Ustarkhanov as Imam of the local mosque.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 22, believers of Shamkhal held an unsanctioned rally near the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) in Makhachkala against the replacement of Imam in their settlement. After the rally, Dagestani policemen detained five protesters, the congregation reported.

On June 23, officials of the SAM came to the mosque to talk to believers. Then, it was decided to leave Bii-Murad Haji Ustarkhanov in the position of the mosque Imam and appoint a local resident named Magomedramazan as his deputy, the "Chernovik" weekly reports.

"The discussion was attended by Muftiate officials, headed by Mukhamad-Khanafi Gamzatov, the Imam of the mosque 'Safar'," the "Novoye Delo" quotes one of the parishioners as saying.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 29, 2016, power agents closed the Salafy mosque in Shamkhal, a suburb of Makhachkala. It has been reported that the mosque will be reopened after appointment of a new Imam.

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