Students' fashion show in Makhachkala gives rise to morality fighters

College students in Makhachkala presented a fashion show, during which some models walked down the runway carrying religious symbols. Some commentators in social networks have demanded to fire the college bosses for insulting believers' feelings. Others have sided with the students, pointing out that religious symbols were part of the creative imagery.

A video with the fashion show held at the Dagestani Arts College was posted on the Instagram*. One of the models is wearing a red dress; her face is painted white, and a red cross is attached to her back. The image resembles the Jesus Christ's crucifixion.

"Let believers sue the organizers for insulting their feelings ... Stop dishonouring our republic," the user so__mnoy__vkusno__ has stated.

"It's complete degradation. The dean and the rector should be fired for such connivance and moral decay within the walls of the entrusted school," the user doctor_avi believes.

Other commentators sided with the students. "Why should you attach religion to everything and look for an insult to feelings? Maybe you need to learn to understand the creativity and an unusual approach?" the user skazka6030 has asked.

"The image of Christ, the cross, and so on are religious symbols. There is no outrage and blasphemy here – this is figurative symbolism," the user __shhhhh10 has noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that residents of Dagestan have repeatedly criticized fashion show participants. Thus, on October 19, 2022, at the opening of a store in Makhachkala, a fashion show was held with the participation of young men in effeminate images. After that, local residents demanded that the organizers apologize to Dagestani Muslims.

*On March 21, 2022, the Tverskoi Court of Moscow banned the activities in Russia of the Meta Company, owning the Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, in connection with extremist activities.