Aimani Kadyrova contest accents authoritarian regime in Chechnya

In the modern Chechnya, the exaltation of the ruler's mother, which was characteristic of some Middle Eastern monarchies in the past, serves to strengthen Ramzan Kadyrov's power, the Orientalists interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" have noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that a contest named after Aimani Kadyrova, Ramzan Kadyrov's mother, is being held among Chechen schoolchildren. Residents of Chechnya treat the contest as an attempt to plant the cult of the Kadyrov family in the republic.

The contest of children's poetry in honour of Aimani Kadyrova's birthday echoes the traditions of Middle Eastern monarchies, Dmitry Mikulsky, Doctor of Historical Sciences and a leading researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, believes.

"It's rooted in the tradition of Middle Eastern statehood. (For them) several decades ago, the veneration of the ruler's family members was very characteristic for the East – of the mother, sisters, wife, etc. And this contest fits into the logic of honouring the mother, which was practiced in the Middle East," Mr Mikulsky told the "Caucasian Knot".

Ruslan Kutaev, President of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations, sees the main goal of the contest in strengthening the personality cult of Ramzan Kadyrov. "His father died for Russia; Ramzan Kadyrov is Putin's infantryman; and the foundation headed by his mother is engaged in charity – it all should show that they serve the people and do everything for their people. In fact, the only aim is to strengthen the authoritarian regime," Mr Kutaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 4, 2020 at 01:55 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.