Mufti’s Hateful Comment Removed at Rabbi’s Urging

The Mufti of Chechnya, Salah-Haji Mezhiev, said during the talk show “Chechen History: War and Peace”, aired on Chechen state television:

“There have always been enemies of Allah — the Jews and the movements created by them, such as atheism. And it makes no difference where this happens — in the Arab world or in Europe.”

This quote was prominently highlighted on the website of the Chechen state news agency Grozny-Inform. It should be noted that Mr. Mezhiev is a recipient of the Russian state “Order of Friendship.”

Upon learning of the statement, the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar, responded sharply, saying:

“The recent appearance of the Mufti of Chechnya, in which he declared my people to be ‘enemies of Allah’ and accused us of spreading atheism, left a most painful impression. Thanks to the consistent policy of the Russian government and the wise actions of religious leaders, a unique reality has been created — not only of interfaith peace, but of friendship, mutual respect, and mutual assistance among all traditional religions. Both the authorities and the people understand that this is essential for the country’s stability and for our shared sense of identity as human beings walking the path of eternal values of faith and culture.

The words of Mr. Mezhiev insult the entire Jewish people and our faith, yet they are directed not only — and not even mainly — against the Jews, but against everything that Russia as a whole has built over many years. It is all too easy to destroy everything if one fanatic, or a group of ignorant and reckless people, take such statements as a ‘call to action’ — we have seen this happen more than once in Europe.

It is especially distressing that such words are being heard from Chechnya — a region where relations between the local Muslim population and the Jews have always been friendly. The Jews even came to defend Chechen homes when, during Stalin’s repressions, the authorities expelled them from their land. Moreover, Mr. Mezhiev’s words contradict the official position of the Muslim community in Russia, whose leaders consistently act for interfaith peace and mutual respect among representatives of the traditional religions, including constructive dialogue between Islam and Judaism.

I sincerely hope that leading representatives of Islam in Russia will soon make official statements rejecting Mr. Mezhiev’s antisemitic remarks and reaffirming the commitment of the Russian Muslim community to peace and solidarity among all believers in the One G-d. We Jews regard Islam as a religion of peace and tolerance. And if there are individual representatives of this faith who lack understanding of our worldview — they are welcome to come and learn from us what the Jews do and how they uphold the values of faith.”

Following the Chief Rabbi’s response, a significant change appeared on the website of the Chechen state news agency Grozny-Inform: the Mufti’s quote was removed.

No official reaction has yet been issued by the authorities of either Russia or Chechnya.