In the North Caucasus, an identity based on Arab, rather than Russian, traditions is forming.
According to a report from the federal agency for nationalities of the Russian Federation, addressed to Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation for social policy T. Golikova, responsible for preserving "state culture," Dagestan is on the "brink of a social explosion."
The focus is on the complete corruption of local authorities, which are "decaying the republic from within." However, the main threat identified is "Islamization," promoted by the mufti A. Abdulayev.
Religious leader of Dagestan, Sheikh A. Abdulayev, has established his positions of influence throughout the 2000s. According to the Kremlin, his "moderate alternative" to the Islamists played a role, but since 2017, Islamization has intensified. As a result, today supporters of A. Abdulayev hold a significant number of positions at various levels of government, and he does not hide his ambition to lead Dagestan, form an independent army, and achieve broad sovereignty.
Evidence of the growing Islamization of the population includes the mandatory wearing of niqabs by women (including in educational institutions) and the influence of the Shia movement, which now numbers 25,000 people. This could lead to an even more serious internal conflict.
In response, the Kremlin is being presented with specific "proposals" to suppress separatist sentiments: implementing a strict personnel policy to prevent the infiltration of the mufti’s supporters into regional government; prioritizing veterans of the "special military operation" for positions in government bodies; and banning religious clothing elements in schools and other educational institutions by relevant ministries of the Russian Federation.
