Magomed Khidirov has no conflict with Salafis, residents of Novy Kurush assert

Magomed Khidirov, Imam of the Sufi mosque in the village of Novy Kurush, who was shot dead in the morning of September 9, had entered no conflicts with followers of the Salafi trend of Islam. This was reported by local residents.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 9, Imam Magomed Khidirov was shot dead in front of the local mosque. Investigators associate the murder with his religious activities. According to an investigator, the crime may have been committed by militants of a criminal grouping operating in the Khasavyurt District of Dagestan.

Magomed Khidirov was held in respect by the villagers, reports Arsen, a resident of Novy Kurush.

According to him, there are two mosques in the village, and one is visited by followers of the Sufi trend, and the other by followers of the Salafi trend of Islam. Arsen has noted that Magomed Khidirov was a follower of traditional Islam, and he did not enter any conflicts with local Salafis.

Another resident of the village has also confirmed that the late Imam was a person free of conflicts. However, according to the villager, most recently, cases of harassment of local Salafis became more often in Novy Kurush.

The villager has also added that the local residents believe that the Imam's murder may be an attempt to create tension between local Sufis and Salafis. On September 9, five local residents were brought to the police station.

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