The recent terrorist attack in Dagestan has been condemned by the heads of the Republics of Tatarstan and Chechnya, as well as religious leaders.
Tatarstan's Response:
Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan and Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic World" sent a government telegram to the Head of the Republic of Dagestan, Sergey Melikov. The telegram expressed deep shock at the news of the brutal terrorist attacks in Derbent and Makhachkala, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of innocent people.
"We believe that all criminals will be punished for their inhumane actions. We deeply mourn and share the grief with the relatives and friends of those killed by extremists, and express our sympathy and support to everyone affected by this tragedy," stated Rustam Minnikhanov.
Chechnya's Response:
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov called the attack a "vile provocation and an attempt to sow discord between religious communities."
"Terrorists have once again shown their true vile and cowardly nature. As always, they chose defenseless and unarmed people as their victims, killing an old sick priest like the cowards they are. What happened appears to be a vile provocation and an attempt to sow discord between religions," Kadyrov wrote on his Telegram channel.
Religious Leaders' Response:
The Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation (RBM RF) categorically condemned the attack on religious sites in Dagestan. In a statement on its website, the RBM RF declared: "We see these actions solely as an expression of lawlessness, unbelief, and a crime against the boundary set by Almighty Allah."
"If it were not for Allah's protection of some by means of others, cloisters, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which Allah's name is often mentioned, would have been destroyed" (Holy Quran, 22:40).
The statement noted that the attackers violated Allah’s laws by attacking religious temples. The religious board expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims, showing solidarity with the people of Dagestan in this time of collective grief. "We mourn the innocent victims and grieve over the destruction of God's temples. We pray for Dagestan, for inter-religious peace, and for civil harmony throughout our homeland, Russia," the statement concluded.
Mufti Albir Krganov:
From the Presidium of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia, Mufti Albir Krganov condemned the attack as a blasphemous and barbaric act without justification. "Attacking the holy places of traditional religions is a sacrilegious, barbaric act that has no justification. The places where people with open hearts turn to God are sacred and precious to every believer, regardless of their faith," he said, calling for unity and resilience against attempts to incite hatred and discord.
Global Muslim Organizations' Response:
The World Islamic League condemned the armed terrorist act against religious sites in the Russian Federation (Republic of Dagestan). In a statement, the League's General Secretariat denounced the crime as a violation of religious values, international laws, and humanitarian norms, reaffirming the League's stance against all forms of violence and terrorism. The League extended heartfelt condolences to the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Nizami Gadzhibalaev/TASS