Islamabad, Aug 22: The surprise visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Chechnya has attracted a lot of attention from around the world, especially in light of a video that went viral showing him clutching and caressing a rare Quranic edition. Putin’s first visit to the area in thirteen years makes this one noteworthy, and Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of the Chechen people, welcomed him with open arms.
The two presidents had talks during the tour centered on enhancing the military, commercial, and economic ties between Russia and Chechnya. Their discussions emphasized Putin and Kadyrov’s tight relationship, which is indicative of their solid working relationship.
At the Isa Prophet Mosque in Grozny, a pivotal event of the visit happened when the Grand Mufti delivered a verse from Surah Al-Anfal and translated it into Russian for President Putin. This symbolic action strengthened the leaders’ relationship by highlighting their shared respect for one another’s cultures and religions. Putin’s deference to the Quran and his participation in the mosque’s events show how important his connection with the Chechen leader and the larger Russian Muslim community. The significance of Chechnya in Russia’s larger political and cultural scene was also conveyed by this visit, which highlighted the close ties between Putin and Kadyrov.
