Lebanese theologian's attacks on Chechen Mufti trigger controversy in social networks

Abdurrakhman Dimashkiya, a Lebanese theologian, who posted a video criticizing the Mufti of Chechnya for oppressing Salafis in the republic, has convincingly stated his position, some social network users have agreed. Their opponents have objected stating that the Chechen people need no protection from Ramzan Kadyrov and his entourage.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in his appeal to Salakh Mezhiev, Mufti of Chechnya, Dimashkiya stated that Chechen authorities condemn the followers of the teachings of the Saudi preacher Muhammad Ibn Abdel-Wahhab, but at the same time emphasize their love for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The theologian believes that the Putin had done nothing good to the Chechen people, recalling people's deaths during the Chechen wars.

A number of social network users have supported Dimashkiya's arguments and his criticism of Chechen authorities.

Earlier in October this year, Salikh Ibn Baz, a grandson of the former Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abdel-Aziz Ibn Baz, who until his death in 1999 was treated as one of the most respected Salafi Muslim scholars, on the Twitter accused Kadyrov of harassing Salafis due to the fact that the head of Chechnya had declared Wahhabism contrary to the Koran and the Sunnah. Adam Shakhidov, the Kadyrov's religious adviser, entered into a dispute with Salikh Ibn Baz, but could not convincingly challenge his arguments, and then invited Ibn Baz to Chechnya. The Sheikh's descendant refused, motivating his refusal by his contempt for Kadyrov.