Residents of Chechnya complain about forcing to participate in collective fast-breaking

Collective breaking of the fasting for believers in connection with the forthcoming end of the Ramadan was held in the mosques of Chechnya. Civil servants said that their participation in the event was not voluntary.

The fast-breaking for believers (Iftar) in connection with the forthcoming end of the fasting month of Ramadan was organized in the evening on July 13 by Chechen authorities.

The spokesman of the Muftiat of Chechnya told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that free nutrition of believers in city mosques and in several major mosques in localities was organized by republic's authorities from the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"Our boss warned us that we should go to the evening prayer at the mosque, where nutrition would be also organized. It turned out that every boss received instructions from above that a certain number of people should be sent directed to the evening Iftar. The action was likely organized by the mother of Ramzan (Kadyrov); and non-participation in it would mean disrespect to the republic's leader. Of course, everybody obeyed," said an employee of one of educational institutions named Islam.

A resident of the Shali District also said that he is not happy with the fact that "any charitable actions, organized by authorities, are presented as something out of the ordinary."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.