Confrontation with Caucasian Muftis reminds about Khamkhoev's strong positions in Ingushetia

Isa Khamkhoev, the Mufti of Ingushetia, is ready for a conflict with the Muslims' Coordinating Centre (MCC) of Northern Caucasus, as he enjoys a strong support in the republic even in the midst of confrontation with the head of the republic, Yunus-Bek Evkurov. The MCC is a dependent organization with no political influence, analysts have pointed out.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 13, the Council of Teips of Ingushetia summoned the republic's MPs to the Sharia Court on the issue of the Chechen-Ingush border. The MCC accused activists of intimidating the Ingush MPs; and Isa Khamkhoev offered the MCC members to come to Ingushetia and personally get acquainted with his work.

Ismail Berdiev, the head of the MCC, is not going to come to Ingushetia and expects Isa Khamkhoev to come to the meeting of Muftis scheduled for January 12 in Pyatigorsk.

Such harsh criticism of the Mufti by the North-Caucasian MCC is unprecedented, said Akhmet Yarlykapov, an Orientalist.

The fact that Mufti Khamkhoev failed to come to Pyatigorsk, but invited his colleagues, who had criticized him, to come to Ingushetia, indicates his self-confidence, said Alexei Malashenko, a political analyst.

The Mufti of Ingushetia has joined the political struggle, seeking the resignation of the head of the republic, and the MCC's statements made against him may be a reaction to this, said Ruslan Kurbanov, an Orientalist and political analyst.

Khamkhoev has support in the republic and, by virtue of his personal qualities, he is "a daring and resolute person"; he is not afraid of conflicts, said Akhmed Kostoev, a lawyer.