11:43, 1 September 2019

Putin refuses to recognize the Shali mosque the most beautiful in the world

Vladimir Putin at his meeting with Ramzan Kadyrov on August 31, 2019. Photo by the press service of the Russian President http://kremlin.ru/events/president/news/61415

At his meeting with the head of Chechnya, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, disagreed with Ramzan Kadyrov's words that the new "Muslims' Pride" Mosque is the most beautiful in the world. Kadyrov did not argue.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the above mosque was solemnly opened on August 23. The attendance of the event was mandatory for employees of budget-funded organizations, local residents said.

The new mosque can house about 30,000 believers. Thus, it became the largest in Europe.

At his meeting with Kadyrov, Mr Putin asked whether the Shali mosque is really the largest in Europe. "Yes, it is; and it's the most beautiful mosque in the world," Kadyrov replied. But the president has objected: "The most beautiful in the world is the mosque in Saint Petersburg." "I can't argue with you, Vladimir Vladimirovich," the head of Chechnya answered.

Kadyrov invited Putin to Chechnya. "I haven't been there for a long time; I want to come and I'll definitely do it," the website of the President of Russia quotes his assurances.

The capacity of the "Muslims' Pride" Mosque is twice the amount of the local population; and this promises no benefits for the city, said the blogger, Tumso Abdurakhmanov. Social network users argued about how the costs of building this mosque were justified.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 31, 2019 at 03:09 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.