Ruslan Osmanov on way to Solikamsk (Aslan Urumov/OC Media)
Around 1,000 Christian Baptists live in majority Muslim Kabardino-Balkaria. One member of the community, Chechen man Ruslan Osmanov, told OC Media about how his new-found religion helped him to find his place and to break with a life of crime and addiction.
(Lala Aliyeva/Chai-Khana)
Lezgins are one of five major ethnic groups living within Azerbaijan. The population of Lezgins makes up approximately 2% of the whole population of Azerbaijan. Their religion is Islam, and their language is Lezgi. Historically, Lezgins have inhabited the beautiful Caucasus Mountains between the Black and Caspian Seas. Part of the ethnic group is living in Dagestan, Russian Federation and another is beyond the border with Russia in the north-eastern part of Azerbaijan; Qusar, Quba and Khachmaz. However, the western part of Azerbaijan in Zaqatala and Balakan regions are also populated with many ethnic minorities including Lezgins. The UNHCR states that Lezgins make up 40% of the population of the Qusar and Khachmaz regions and that Greater Baku is 1.8% Lezgin. [Read more…]
In the Azeri community, a red ribbon on the door means that someone in this house was recently married. (Lala Aliyeva/ Chai-Khana)
Child marriages are commonplace in Georgia’s Azerbaijani communities. Despite tough new laws prohibiting the practice, young girls continue to have their right to education denied to them and their futures decided between their families and potential suitors. [Read more…]
Zaur Gumashvili
Zaur Gumashvili, chairman of the board of Pankisi’s Council of Elders, discussed with OC Media the fading role of Elders in the valley, the rise of the Salafi movement, the subsequent cultural decline, and an action plan how to stop it.
Aslanbek Zubayrayev with Ramzan Kadyrov (Grozny TV)
After a video emerged of a ritual where worshipers had knives stuck into their heads, Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov publicly condemned Chechen followers of Iraqi Sheikh Mohammad al Kasnazani.
[Read more…]
Muslims of Orta Mosque pray outside the mosque in Batumi (Mari Nikuradze/ OC Media)
Muslims in Batumi are in desperate need of more space to practice their religion. However, suspicion, opposition, and Turkophobia from local politicians and Christian Orthodox activists is leaving them out in the cold. [Read more…]
Bekkhan Pareulidze, Imam of Pankisi
Salafi imam of Pankisi, Bekkhan Pareulidze, sat down with OC Media for an exclusive interview, in which he discussed the region’s religious divisions, the outflow of young Kists to Syria, and the role civil society has to play in the valley. [Read more…]
Someone intentionally set the community centre in Pankisi valley on fire two weeks ago. The official investigation is still in progress, while the parties, involved or associated with the incident, blame it on each other. [Read more…]
