Residents of Chechnya criticize authorities for mass Iftars

On June 11, the Iftar, organized by the authorities, was held in the Chechen capital. According to the official information, about 20,000 people took part in the event. Some local residents treated such events as a self-PR step of the authorities.

In Grozny, the mass Iftar (the ceremony for fasting completion, evening meal during the fasting in the month of Ramadan) was organized by the regional Foundation named after Akhmat-Khadji Kadyrov. It was timed to the sacred night of Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Determination), the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed at the Muftiate of Chechnya.

The tents with tables, laid for thousands of people, were installed in the square in front of the "Heart of Chechnya" Mosque. Even heavy rain did not stop the Iftar. Before the beginning of the ceremony for fasting completion, the mureeds of various wyrds (concepts) performed the religious rites of dhikr and mawlid.

The ceremony for fasting completion involved not only residents of Chechnya, but also guests from Ingushetia, Dagestan, and Tatarstan. Fans of the national football team of Egypt who arrived in Grozny also attended the collective Iftar.

On June 8, during the general namaz (prayer) in the mosques of the republic, believers were called on to take part in the forthcoming mass Iftar in Grozny.

The holding by the authorities of various large-scale actions in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan provokes opposition from some believers.
"Our authorities have turned religion into an element of cheap advertising. And the next grandiose Iftar is a pure PR step," believes Umar, a resident of the Grozny District.