Chechen extremism: real threat or an artificial problem?
Timur Aliyev
GROZNY, Chechnya - The dominant image of extremism in Chechnya is imposed externally rather than actually existing within the Republic. This was the idea presented during a meeting of public figures and Chechen students on April 15 in Grozny.
Discussions centered on two viewpoints: first, because extremism has already taken root in Chechnya it is necessary to eradicate it; and secondly, that this is a problem being artificially imposed upon the country.
According to political scientist Edilbek Khasmagomadov, "A huge part of Chechen society feels deprived, and this part of society is a breeding ground for extremism."
"The problem of Chechen extremism is artificial and imposed on the Republic by the Kremlin in order to divert attention from the main problems in Russia. So while extremism is being fought in Chechnya the Russian people, meanwhile, live in poverty and grow poorer without any social reforms being enacted," stated Ruslan Zhadayev, a representative of the Council of NGOs.
"It seems to me that the current battle with extremism is like a medieval witch hunt," said Timur Gabazov, a student from the Grozny Petroleum Institute.
"Where is the limit beyond which the national liberation movement is considered to be extreme? I’ve studied history and didn’t find even one country that let its colony go without violence," added Ruslan Murzabekov, a Chechen State University student.
Nevertheless, the participants at this meeting did manage to talk about undertaking several measures to protect the youth from the influence of extremist organizations.
The necessity for creating jobs and improving socio-economic conditions in the Republic were the main topics they felt would greatly help to reduce the influence that extremism has on Chechen youth.
Nadirsolt Elsunkayev, head of the Centre of Humanitarian Studies, sees a solution in finding a certain spiritual niche for young people. According to one student of the Islamic Institute of Makhachkala, this could be religion. "True Islam affirms life in the world, without murders and thievery," he says.
One additional cure-all for wars and violence was proposed by the well-known poet Sharip Tsuruyev: "The remedy is simple; make all Chechens happy and the war will cease."
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