13:07, 11 January 2018

Chechen residents alarmed: critic of Wahhabism re-appointed Kadi of Grozny

Adam Ilyasov. Screenshot of a video by the user Imam. Adam_al.ashariy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxMzskPbJ3o

The return of Adam Ilyasov to the position of the Islamic judge of Grozny may provoke a new surge of persecution of young men wearing beards, local residents believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that earlier, Adam Ilyasov already used to serve as the Kadi (Islamic Judge) of Grozny, when he replaced Magomed Khiytanaev in the post in January 2014. Being one of the most consistent opponents of radical ideology, he was instructed to counter the spread of "false ideology and sectarianism" in Islam. After that, Adam Ilyasov ordered imams of the Grozny's mosques to monitor the appearance of believers.

In January of 2014, at a meeting with religious figures, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov stated that the republic should be clear "even of the spirit of" any trends contradictory to the Koran, Sunnah and Tariqah, among which the Chechen leader mentioned Wahhabism, Habashism, and Tabligh. After that, in fact a chase was started in Chechnya for young people with long beards and shaved moustaches, like followers of the Salafi concept of Islam.

The appointment of Adam Ilyasov may lead to tougher rhetoric against the Salafis and strengthening control over mosque-goers, believes Adam, a member of a Chechen NGO.

In 2014, Adam Ilyasov "violently criticized" Khamzat Chumakov, a well-known preacher from Ingushetia, reminded Musa, a resident of Grozny.

Local religious figures adhere to the guidelines coming from the authorities of Chechnya, suggested Said-Akhmad, a resident of Grozny.

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

Source: CK correspondent