Volgograd student apologizes for criticizing Mufti

A student from Syria studying in Volgograd recorded a video apologizing for his reaction to the Mufti’s words about the events in the Middle East.

Mokhamad Bata Kivakh, the Mufti of the Volgograd Region, posted a video in his Telegram channel in which the student apologizes to him, the “V1.ru” portal reports.

“I offer my deepest apologies to the Muftiate for my words, which were wrong both in terms of religion and the human factor,” the student says in the video.

The Mufti of the Volgograd Region faced criticism from some of his fellow believers after he posted his address to people in connection with the events in Syria. In his address, the Mufti says that in the Syrian provinces of Latakia, Jabla, and Tartus, “civilians, including Christians, fell victim to a brutal genocide” organized by groups associated with terrorist organizations.

“According to sources’ reports, as a result ... about 10,000 people perished. Those crimes were committed under the banner of Islam, but those who are responsible for the crimes have nothing in common with the true faith. They are real monsters and criminals,” the Mufti wrote and called for “prayers for the people of Syria.”

The Mufti of the Volgograd Region claims that after he posted his address, he received many insults from Muslims.

Let us remind you that the practice of public apologies, adopted in Chechnya at the suggestion of Ramzan Kadyrov, has spread to other regions of Russia. So, in the summer of 2023, Volgograd blogger Pavel Prokudin apologized for insulting Muslims and residents of the Caucasus. The blogger explained that his statements were provoked by insults addressed to Russians and himself.