Dagestani state servants complain about ban on praying at work

Employees of the Ministry for Land and Property Relations of Dagestan have drafted an appeal to Vladimir Vasiliev, the head of the republic, with a complaint against Ekaterina Tolstikova, the head of the Ministry. According to her subordinates, Ms Tolstikova forbids them to pray at work and offers to write retirement applications.

Employees of the Ministry are unhappy with the "negative and boorish attitude" of the Minister, the edition named "Novoe Delo" (New Business) reports. Ekaterina Tolstikova ordered them to "pray at home" and forbade leaving workplaces for the Friday prayer.

"She has ordered to close the praying room; and Akhmed Shigabudinov, a security at the Ministry, whom she saw after ablution, was fired; thus, the Minister has violated the article of the Constitution of the Russian Federation on the freedom of religion," the edition quotes the appeal.

Ms Tolstikova refuted the information about oppressing the believers, explaining the dismissal of the security by the fact that he violated the dress code by being "barefooted in flip-flops" and not reacting to her remark, the "Chernovik" writes.