MOSCOW, October 30 Russian President Vladimir Putin invited the participants of the meeting on the situation in Dagestan to discuss the observance of the rights of citizens, the topics of security and interethnic harmony, taking into account external threats.
«On issues of ensuring law and order in Russia, let's talk about protecting the rights of our citizens and the public safety of civil peace and interethnic harmony, including taking into account external threats,” Putin said during a meeting on the situation in the Republic of Dagestan.
On Sunday in Makhachkala, local residents broke into the airport runway after the arrival of a flight from Tel Aviv — presumably they were looking for arriving Israeli citizens. Riots began.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that a criminal case has been opened for mass riots, more than 150 active participants have been identified, 60 of them have been detained. According to the Ministry of Health of the Republic, more than 20 security forces and civilians were injured during the events at the airport: more than ten received minor injuries, ten more were taken to hospitals, two were in extremely serious condition.
Mufti of Dagestan Akhmad Abdulaev in a video message called the action against Jews a mistake and called on fellow believers to remain calm. The Presidium of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation issued a special appeal in connection with anti-Semitic speeches, in which it called on government agencies to immediately and competently respond to these events. He called on Russian Muslims to be guided by the text of the Koran and examples from the life of the Prophet Muhammad, not succumbing to provocative calls and preserving humanity and love for their homeland.
The first deputy chairman of the Muslim Spiritual Directorate of the Russian Federation, Damir Mukhetdinov, said that it is completely wrong and unfair to transfer events in the Middle East to a multinational and multi-confessional Russia. He recalled that injustice, collective punishment, lynching, as well as such forms of racism and arrogance as Judeophobia are unacceptable in Islam.
In addition, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', in a statement, expressed support for the spiritual leaders of Islam who called for an end to the unrest in Dagestan, and called on believers to listen to their words.