[KavkazUzel] The Muftiate and the Council of Chechens of Dagestan agreed to resolve the issue of demolishing the mosque in Leninaul according to Sharia norms. The requirement to build a mosque on the site of the demolished one was called not a norm of Islam, but simply a local tradition by Islamic scholars.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot", in Leninaul, Kazbekovsky District, Dagestan, despite agreements with the authorities, a Chechen mosque built in the 19th century was demolished, village residents stated in a video message. The plot of land in Leninaul, where, according to representatives of the Chechen community, the 19th century mosque was located, was sold at auction to a representative of the Avar community, who transferred it for the construction of a mosque. The authorities did not find any documents in the archives about the ownership of this plot by the Chechens, the administration of the Kazbekovsky District stated. There are many unclear points in the story of the demolition of the mosque in Leninaul, but the decision to demolish it was hasty and provoked interethnic tension, commentators pointed out, drawing attention to the lack of reaction to the statement of the Chechen Accords from the Chechen authorities.
The problem that arose as a result of the demolition of the mosque in Leninaul will be resolved in accordance with Sharia norms, the head of the Public Council of Chechens of Dagestan, Arbi Batyrsultanov, told a correspondent for the “Caucasian Knot”.
"This is a mosque from the end of the 19th century. There are different dates, but the fact remains that the mosque was built before the revolution. Then, as old-timers of this area told me, the mosque was turned into a store by the Soviet authorities in 1926. It was reconstructed into a store. In 1944, we were expelled from there and when we returned home, the store continued to operate there. Then this building became a mosque again, people were able to perform prayers there again. Our people took part in auctions for a long time to buy this plot, but such conditions were created that they could not buy it out," he said.
The Aukhovsky district, where the Chechens-Akkintsy lived compactly, was liquidated in 1944 after Stalin's deportation of the Chechens and Ingush. In the northwestern part of the district's territory, the Novolaksky District was formed, this part was populated by Laks from the mountainous part of Dagestan, and the southeastern part of the district was transferred to the neighboring Kazbekovsky District together with the villages of Yurt-Aukh and Aktash-Aukh and populated by Avars from the neighboring village. Thirteen years later, in 1957, the Akkin Chechens, like the rest of the deported Vainakh peoples, were allowed to return to their historical homeland.
Recently, the Council of Chechens of Dagestan began to receive reports that the mosque was being destroyed.
"We went there with three people from our council. We had a two-hour conversation there with a representative of the Dagestan Muslim Spiritual Directorate and local authorities. The result of the meeting was that we agreed that the destruction of the mosque would be suspended, we would provide evidence that it was indeed a mosque, and we would make a final decision in the muftiate. But on the same day, after the night prayer, the mosque was completely demolished," he said.
We hope that a mosque will stand in the same place again. This mosque is a memory of those Chechens who were expelled from there and then returned
According to him, after the demolition of the mosque, there was a risk of conflict in the village. "A situation arose where we could lose control. However, we categorically called on everyone not to take steps that could disrupt our relations. And negotiations began again. Our council has a reconciliation committee, and they negotiated with the muftiate. A certain process was underway and yesterday evening a final decision was made that this issue would be considered and resolved in accordance with Sharia norms and laws. The truth will be established in this way. And we hope that a mosque will stand in the same place again. This mosque is a memory of those Chechens who were expelled from there and then returned," he emphasized.
Batyrsultanov also reported that the demolished mosque was not the only one in the village.
"There are two mosques in Leninaul, an old one and a relatively new one, built near this mosque that was demolished. All residents of Leninaul went to the demolished mosque without any distinction. By the way, there is a rule in Islam that if a mosque is destroyed, a new one should be built in its place. So there will be discussions for about a month and then a decision will be made," he said.
The Kazbekovsky District administration declined to provide additional comments.
Islamic scholars have called the demand to build a mosque on the site of a demolished one a tradition
The Islamic scholars interviewed by the “Caucasian Knot” are not familiar with the Islamic norm that requires the construction of a new mosque on the site of a demolished one.
"I have never encountered such an approach in Islamic literature in my practice. There is no such specific norm in Islam. But I believe that we are talking about a certain tradition that has developed over a long period of time in the places where they speak of this norm. Perhaps there were such traditions among the inhabitants of this territory that if a mosque is suddenly destroyed, then a new one is built in its place. Hence this interpretation," Leonid Syukiyainen, a professor at the Higher School of Economics and a specialist in comparative law and Islamic law, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
Wherever numerically significant Muslim communities live more or less compactly, their own traditions and customs are formed, which are passed down through generations, expanding the geography
According to him, such a tradition can be passed down from generation to generation and can expand its geography over time.
"Customs and traditions in Muslim societies are quite strong. What they say reflects these traditions. Wherever there are more or less compactly significant Muslim communities, their own traditions and customs are formed, which are passed on through generations, expanding the geography. This is a local tradition that they transmit," he explained.
An Islamic scholar and Caucasus expert who wished to remain anonymous confirmed that there is no such norm in Islam.
"I would say that this is a tradition, not a norm in Islam. I have not come across such a norm in Islam, according to which, if a mosque is destroyed, a new one must be built in its place. We are dealing with a tradition that has developed over the centuries," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
This tradition also has the following explanation, says the expert.
"In the 90s, in Dagestani villages they simply took various premises, for example, the management of a state farm, and made a mosque. It happened in different ways. In many regions, mosque buildings were not originally built for mosques. But in some cases, residents say that this is a very old mosque. And it is difficult to find sources that would answer the question of what kind of building it is. In any case, there is definitely no such norm, but there is a certain adat that residents of Leninaul refer to," he said.