20:24, 14 September 2004

Only one mosque functions in Nalchik

Today, the Nalchik town administration has rejected a petition of the Spiritual Administration of Moslems of Kabardino-Balkaria to allow mosques in the town to resume their work. Only one mosque functions in Nalchik now. It is a central cathedral mosque. The other six mosques are closed at Mayor Berdov's direction because of the difficult situation. The mosques were closed after the developments in the Chegemsky district where law enforcers clashed with a rebel group members of which allegedly placing themselves among radical Islamists.

Leaders of the Spiritual Administration believe the closure of mosques isn't the most effective preventive measure against the dissemination of Islamic radicalism. "It will be better if followers of so called Wahhabism come and are visible," they say. The Spiritual Administration is going to exert influence on them so that to hold unity among the faithful.

Author: Lyudmila Maratova, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot