Pro-Moscow Chechen premier in favour of all-out fight against Wahhabism

CHECHNYA, 29 January, Caucasus Times: Wahhabism does not have any roots and a social and religious basis in Chechnya, Chechen Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov has said.

“The Chechen people did not initially accept Wahhabism, although hundreds of foreign mercenaries and so-called preachers who infiltrated the Chechen Republic from other regions and CIS countries tried to enforce it here. However, the Chechen people made their choice and Wahhabism could not take roots among the Chechen people,” Kadyrov told reporters.

He stressed that “realizing the danger that Wahhabism might cause, practically the entire nation rose up to fight it and thanks to this, that evil was dealt with”.

“I meet representatives of the clergy every day. I can see that our youth are on the path of true Islam and are practising the religion that has existed for more than 1,400 years, and by eliminating Wahhabis, we just carried out the will of Prophet Muhammad,” Kadyrov said.

He went on to add that “hundred of years ago Islamic scholars were aware of the evil that can be caused by people promoting Wahhabism”.

“But I believe that Wahhabis should be fought not only in Chechnya but also in any other place where they can try to rear their head. We have experience in doing this and we can help our neighbours with this,” Kadyrov said.