Russian President Vladimir Putin made an unexpected visit to Chechnya on Wednesday, marking his first trip to the Muslim-majority region in over a decade.
The visit gained attention after a video surfaced showing Putin kissing a gifted Quran and holding it close to his chest as a gesture of respect.
Putin was warmly welcomed by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. The two leaders discussed strengthening military, trade, and economic ties between their regions.
This visit, Putin’s first to Chechnya since 2011, underscores the strong relationship between the Russian president and the Chechen leader, who often refers to Putin as a close friend.
During the trip, Putin, accompanied by Kadyrov and the Grand Mufti of Chechnya, visited the Isa Prophet Mosque in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. At the mosque, Putin was presented with a rare edition of the Quran, which he kissed and held to his heart as a sign of respect.
The Grand Mufti also recited a verse from Surah Al-Anfal and translated it into Russian for Putin.
Putin’s symbolic act of kissing the Quran, along with the visit itself, is viewed as a demonstration of his commitment to maintaining positive relations with Chechnya, a predominantly Muslim region.
