Gadjiev's colleagues treat enlightenment as way to combat radicalization

The ideological work aimed to counter radicalization should be conducted by Muslims themselves; and Abdulmumin Gadjiev, the convicted "Chernovik" outlet journalist, is one of those who is able to influence his fellow believers, Dagestani journalists are sure. They have expressed hope that Gadjiev's acquaintance with the killed participant in the militant attack would not become a reason for pressure on him at the SIZO (pre-trial prison).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Gadjiev's colleagues treat his criminal case as political persecution and regularly hold solo pickets in his support. On June 24, Gadjiev's colleagues decided not to hold a picket due to mourning for the victims of militant attacks.

The Instagram* page, run by Gadjiev's relatives, has posted a message that he managed to hand over from the SIZO. "The Sergokala District is my native one. It itself is radically secular. Religious youth there face very specific challenges ... The measures that are now being proposed to combat terrorism fail to solve these problems and will have no prophylactic effect," the page gives Gadjiev's words.

Idris Yusupov**, a journalist (on November 24, 2023, the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) included Yusupov in the register of foreign agents; he has challenged this decision), believes that it is the ideological work within the Muslim community, conducted by believers themselves, that can prevent radicalization.

"Based on the norms of Islam, Abdulmumin would explain the inadmissibility of committing such actions. I am sure that this could turn away so many people, because in his notes from the SIZO, Gadjiev spoke about the cases when he found himself in the same cell with adherents of the 'Islamic State'***. At first they didn't even want to pray with him, but thanks to Abdulmumin's patient explanation, they made sincere repentances, and changed their position, renouncing their delusions," Mr Yusupov** has explained.

In his opinion, a number of other Muslim figures could engage in this kind of enlightenment.

The Sergokala District is considered secular in Dagestan; however, relatives of Magomed Omarov, a former district head, took part in the militant attacks in Derbent and Makhachkala, Gadjiev's colleagues have emphasized.

*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.

**Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.

***On December 29, 2014, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation recognized the organization "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL or IS) as a terrorist international organization and banned its activities in Russia.