Chechen peacekeepers

The so-called evliya (saints) and their ideas are becoming more and popular in Chechnya. These people have expressed ideas about peacekeeping and called upon the peoples of the Caucasus to lay down arms. The most prominent evliya lived in the XVIII-XIX centuries,
during the Caucasian War.

Sheikh Kunta Khaji Kishiyev is believed to be one such peacekeeper. He was born in 1830 in the village of Isti-Su in the mountains of Chechnya. He called for social equality, justice and peace. His courage and morals soon made him popular not only in Chechnya, but also in the whole Caucasian region. Even nowadays a lot of Kunta Khaji's followers live in Dagestan and Ingushetia.

The present day Chechen authorities are paying special attention to the popularization of these famous compatriots, especially those who contributed much to peacekeeping in the region. The Russian Islamic University established recently in Grozny was named after Kunta Khaji.

Timur Utsaev, Grozny. Exclusively to VK.