CHECHNYA – In a notable show of respect and solidarity, Russian President Vladimir Putin made his first visit to the Chechen capital, Grozny, in 13 years. He was warmly welcomed by Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of the Muslim-majority autonomous region and a close ally of the Russian president.
During his visit, Putin toured the newly built Grand Mosque, named after Prophet Isa (Jesus), accompanied by Kadyrov and the Grand Mufti of Chechnya. A significant moment of the visit occurred when the Grand Mufti presented Putin with a rare copy of the Quran. In a gesture of deep respect, Putin kissed the holy book and held it close to his heart, an action captured in photographs.
Read more: The Israeli intelligence chief steps down, taking responsibility for the October 7 failure
The Grand Mufti also recited a verse from Surah Al-Anfal and provided its Russian translation, adding to the cultural and religious significance of the occasion. This visit highlights Chechnya’s importance within the Russian Federation and reflects Putin’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the Muslim-majority region.
