Chechen president goes to Medina, Mecca for lesser Hajj

GROZNY, March 27 (Itar-Tass) - President of the Chechen republic Ramzan Kadyrov on Tuesday departed for the lesser Hajj to Mecca and Medina. He embarked on the pilgrimage ahead of an official inauguration ceremony.

The Chechen government said that Kadyrov arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday accompanied by Chechen Mufti Sultan Mirzayev, Finance Minister Eli Isayev and Deputy Prime Minister Ziyad Sabsabi. His plane belonging to the Rossiya air carrier landed at Jeddah airport from where the Chechen delegation went to the holy Muslim city of Mecca where Kadyrov intends to take the Umrah, or the lesser Hajj, visit shrines in Mecca and Medina, as well as to say prayers in the Masjid Al Haram.

“The trip to Saudi Arabia is an important event in my life. As a true Muslim and committed believer that assimilated the faith in Allah since childhood I considered it necessary to visit Muslim shrines ahead of taking office,” Kadyrov stated. He said he intended to “visit Mecca and Medina and step to these Muslim shrines.” “To say prayers for the sake of prosperity of the Chechen Republic and the whole Russia. It’s my duty. I intend to ask Allah to send us peace and well-being,” the Chechen president said.

Ramzan Kadyrov is an islamist who has legalized polygamy and called for women to wear headscarves in his muslim feifdom. He once fought on the same side as Shamil Basayev, the man responsible for massacring hundreds of schoolchildren in the town of Beslan. Kadyrov said Basayev was his "hero."

1 posted on 03/27/2007 10:03:20 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

Ramzan Kadyrov

2 posted on 03/27/2007 10:05:01 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick (The articles posted by me needn't necessarily reflect my opinion.)

3 posted on 03/27/2007 10:26:18 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

Lesser Hajj? Is that like a lesser Bobbka?

4 posted on 03/27/2007 10:27:32 AM PDT by Lx (Do you like it, do you like it. Scott? I call it Mr. and Mrs. Tennerman chili.)

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