The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, commented on a letter from the administration of the Andropovsky municipal District of the Stavropol Territory about the inadmissibility of public prayers and the threat of fines.
According to Kadyrov, this ban is discrimination and lawlessness.
"I read with indignation the letter of the administration of the Andropovsky municipal district of the Stavropol Territory with reference to the coordination meeting under the leadership of the region about the "inadmissibility of public prayers" and the threat of fines. This is not just a bureaucratic paper — it is open discrimination and legal lawlessness. 30 million Muslims in Russia is not guests, not temporary neighbors, but part of a great multinational nation. Among us are those who are at the forefront today, who sacrifice themselves for the future of the country. Chechen units, fighters from other Muslim regions are the basis of morale and fortitude. These people don't ask for anything extra. They only want their faith to be respected," the head of Chechnya wrote in his telegram channel.
He stressed that the Stavropol Territory is a part of the North Caucasus Federal District, "surrounded by Muslim—majority republics, and the region itself has a long history of good neighborliness, ties, kinship and a common past with the Caucasus."
"In such conditions, such statements from the authorities sound not just illiterate, but absurd and dangerous. Instead of strengthening peace and mutual respect, the officials themselves throw up artificial reasons to incite hatred. If the authorities do not want Muslims to pray in the streets, then let them contribute to the construction of mosques. But this does not happen either… I and millions of Muslims across the country are outraged by such actions. This undermines interethnic trust and provokes discord. This should be stopped harshly and fundamentally — especially where such decisions undermine the unity of the peoples of Russia," Kadyrov said.
As reported by EADaily, the Ministry of Finance of Dagestan earlier called on residents of the republic, who were outraged by the situation in Stavropol, to remain calm and not succumb to provocations.