Ban on Iftar in Kizilyurt stadium fails to prevent Muslims from gathering in cafés

The Kizilyurt stadium is closed for a mass Iftar for security reasons, but this does not prevent residents from regularly gathering for collective Iftars in cafés. Holding Iftars is not a public event and needs no authorities' sanctions.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 24, the administration of the Kizilyurt District reported on the temporary ban on all collective Iftars after the armed clash in the village of Sultan-Yangi-Yurt, where three persons were killed in a shootout with law enforcers. One of the organizers of the citywide Iftar has noted that the collective Iftar (an act of end of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan) will not take place at the stadium because of the restrictions imposed by the authorities.

Ibragim Mutalibov, a deputy head of Kizilyurt, has stated that a collective Iftar at the city stadium, where hundreds of Muslims usually gathered, will not take place.

According to Biyakai Magomedov, an employee of the city Mayoralty, after the sunset, Muslims gather in summer cafés and collectively start eating. He also did not rule out a mass Iftar at the city stadium this year.

"If the police start dispersing, it will be an unlawful interference with people's religion. No applications for holding Iftar are needed, since Iftar is an event where people express their attitude to their faith," said Evgeny Chernousov, an advocate.