18 February 2014, 12:03
Athletes and guests of Sochi Games can attend prayer houses of world's major religions organized in all Olympic Villages
In Sochi, the three Olympic Villages located in the Imereti Lowland and in Krasnaya Polyana, opened – for the days of the Olympic Games – special prayer rooms, serviced by volunteers and clergymen, representing the world's major religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Protestantism, since the latter is professed by many athletes from Germany and the USA.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the prayer rooms were organized by the activists of the above religious denominations, who received help from local believers and volunteers of the 2014 Games.
As reported by Tatiana Katanidi, the head of the division for interethnic, inter-religion and public relations of the department for interaction with public associations of the Sochi City Administration, the prayer rooms are open around the clock; every confession has its praying schedules. The rooms are temporary and will only work during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Prior to coming to the Olympics, we elected our Imams – they possess decent knowledge and are versed in religion. Also, we selected the volunteers, who know as much as possible foreign languages," said Ibragim Shkhalakhov, the Deputy Mufti of the Republic of Adygea and the Krasnodar Territory.
Author: Tatyana Ukolova Source: CK correspondent
