More than 30,000 believers attend mass Iftar in Grozny

On July 1, more than 30,000 believers from Chechnya and neighbouring regions attended a mass action of the fast breaking (Iftar) in the centre of Grozny. The event was held under enhanced security measures.

The action is a new PR move of the authorities. This was stated by residents of Chechnya, who claimed being forced to participate in the event of Iftar. According to them, the imams informed faithful of the need to take part in the event.

In the central square of the Chechen capital, 1500 tables with a total length of 18 kilometres were arranged. There, about 36,000 people could simultaneously break the fast, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

In addition to supply of food, a nasheed evening was organized for the participants of the event, and relics of the Prophet Muhammad were exposed in the mosque "Heart of Chechnya". Most of the participants of the event spent the night of July 2 in the square and at the mosque by performing prayers and other religious rites.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), the religious event took place in a calm atmosphere.

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