Muftiate's position over a kiss in Makhachkala sparks disputes in social media

The resident of Dagestan, who made a remark to a couple, who were kissing each other in public at a Makhachkala shopping centre, should not have initiated a brawl, Mukhammad Mairanov, the chairman of the Dagestan Muftiate, has stated. Some network users believe that the tough reaction contributes to the protection of traditions, while their opponents condemned the violence.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 8, a video of a brawl at a shopping centre in Makhachkala was circulated on the Internet. It follows from the footage that a man made a remark to a couple who were kissing in public, after which a fight broke out between the men.

On June 9, a video clip was posted on the YouTube* channel of the Dagestani Muftiate, in which Mukhammad Mairanov, the Muftiate chairman, spoke about this case.

Imam Mairanov stated that Dagestani people should be patient when they notice people's actions that mismatch local customs.

"We shouldn't be indifferent when something wrong happens in front of us; and we should not be silent. <…> But when making remarks to others, we must be as tactful as possible, and as gentle and benevolent as we can," Mukhammad Mairanov said, in particular.

Some network commentators have disagreed with this position. "I think it's right that the action came to a brawl; and the public saw it. Maybe many people will think about it; they won't repeat it again and won't allow it mentally," the user Saminat Shakhbanova has written.

Other commentators supported the Imam's opinion. "We all need to remember that to warn against what is blamed is our common cause. And each of us must first of all take care of ourselves, and only then tactfully, with patience, call for the good, with sincere intention," the user Shakhban Kurbanov has noted.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 11, 2022 at 09:11 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.