Imams stand up for Makhachkala rioters

In their video appeal, Imams of Dagestani mosques and members of rural communities have called on the authorities not to punish the rioters detained at Makhachkala Airport.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Kamil Samigullin, Chief Mufti of Tatarstan, called for leniency towards the rioters. A similar call was made by Magomed-Rasul Saaduev, an ex-head of the reconciliation department of the Dagestani Muftiate, whose dismissal was announced by the Muftiate due to his statements on the Palestinian issue.

"We surely condemn the excessiveness of these actions. But we understand that these actions were nothing more than an emotional response committed in a state of passion by our youth to Zionists' crimes. We treat any harsh statements against the protesting youth as unacceptable!" the "Chernovik" outlet has quoted the clergymen's appeal.

Some Dagestani young people "allowed an excessive manifestation of their emotions," which "resulted in the events at the Makhachkala Airport," the authors of the appeal have indicated. "Since no grave consequences followed, we believe that there is no need to punish the Dagestani youth. If force was used on someone's part, then, according to Dagestani traditions, reconciliation can be achieved," the appeal has concluded.