SHALI, Chechen
Republic: The grand mosque in Shali city, Chechnya, is an "architectural
achievement" and "important religious center," a Kuwaiti
official said Friday. Delivering a speech at the opening of the mosque,
representative of the State of Kuwait, Amiri Diwan Advisor and Chairman of the
International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO) Dr Abdullah Al-Maatouq
hoped that the facility would contribute to the spiritual welfare of the Chechen
people and the Muslims in the region.

Maatouq conveyed,
during the occasion, greetings from the UN global humanitarian leader, His
Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to
President Kadyrov, commending the latter on the efforts to construct the
mosque.

Maatouq stressed
that building mosques was an important factor in Islam, saying that the first
action undertaken by Prophet Mohammad, peace and blessing be upon him, when he
migrated to Medina was to construct a mosque for the first Islamic community.
The mosque plays a vital role in the lives of Muslims worldwide, affirmed the
Kuwaiti official, adding that such facilities encouraged piety, humbleness and
overall goodness.

Delegations from
Arab and Islamic nations were present at the opening ceremony of the mosque
named after Prophet Mohammad peace and blessings be upon him. The event
attended was by senior officials including Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov.
Later on Friday, President Kadyrov received Maatouq at the presidential palace
in the capital Grozny. Maatouq also met with the Mufti of Chechnya Salah
Mezhiev in the Chechen capital Grozny yesterday. - KUNA