Report of Chechnya's Muftiate on families' reunification sparks local residents' scepticism

The data on the reunification of 6000 families, announced by the Muftiate of Chechnya, looks inflated; and the clergy's role in this process is exaggerated, local residents believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that back in July 2017, commissions were set up in Chechnya aimed to resolve family conflicts. Family reunification occurs under pressure and often becomes traumatic for those who decide to divorce, analysts have noted.

The relations within the Chechen society have significantly democratized; and women can now make divorce decisions on their own, a Chechen activist has stated.

However, according to his version, the Muftiate's statistics mismatches the reality. "The point is not in thousands, but rather dozens of reunion cases ... No one has abolished the Chechen customs, according to which no stranger has the right to approach a girl or a guy to discuss her/his personal or family life. Therefore, such cases always occur through persuasion of relatives," the activist said.

Muftiate officials often resort to pressure in order to "convince" a girl to reunite with her family, Aset, a resident of Chechnya, said, using her neighbours as an example.

"Those who have faced this are in shock by the manner employees of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM or Muftiate) are talking to them. The tone is like that of the head of the region; they threaten that there will be problems. They scare people with the name of Ramzan Kadyrov; and in Chechnya, this name is really inspiring fear in many," Aset has explained.

According to her story, one woman was forced to return under the threat of being separated from her children.