A file photo of a Chechen mosque

GROPZNY, October 30 (IslamOnline.net) - The Russian military administration has banned Tarawih and prevented inhabitants of south Chechnya from performing the prayer, triggering a wave of condemnation of Chechen Muslims, particularly the elders.

Russian media quoted an administration official as saying the ban was motivated by fear that independence-seekers would exploit the prayer to encourage more attacks against the Russian forces during the Muslims holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The decision sparked off anger among the Muslim population, especially elderly Chechen Muslims.

Dagestan Pravda reported that some of the elders sent a message to the Russian military administration to allow them to perform Tarawih prayer in mosques, but have not received any answer to date.

The Russian military authorities also slapped a curfew in southern areas from 2100 pm up to 700 am, practically preventing people even from performing Fajr (Dawn) prayer.

However, moving to the north of Chechnya, particularly the capital Grozny, where a larger number of Russian forces is deployed, Tarawih has not been banned.

Pro-Moscow Chechen police tour mosques and detain those suspected of belonging to Chechen resistance.

The Russian military administration has approved broadcasting Tarawih on local television.

During Ramadan, Chechen men and women used to gather every day for Tarawih prayer, recitation of Qur’an and religious sermons.

Chechen villages are famous for holding collective Iftars, with one family cooking for the rest of the village once during the month.

In case there are more than 30 families in a village, two or three families could share in preparing one Iftar.