Poet Ali Adallo: In Dagestan is a full-fledged civil war –
December 24, 2009 – 2:34 am
In the Republic of Dagestan is no need to submit to anyone was a poet, essayist, former member of the Writers’ Union of Dagestan Abdul Aliyev (Ali Adallo). He was born in the village Urada, the Soviet District (now Gidatl, Shamilsky district) of the Dagestan Soviet Socialist Republic on Feb. 15, 1932.
Lyrics Aliyev began to print in the national and the local newspaper still in his school years. After graduating from the Moscow Literary Institute Named after Maxim Gorky worked in various publishing structures of Dagestan. Widespread fame as Avar poet, he was back in Soviet times. Adallo – author of over thirty books in the Avar and Russian languages. It belongs to the Avar classics of poetry, translations of his poems were published in Moscow, the works Adallo studied in school programs.
Since the late eighties of the last century poet – one of the most active members of Gorbachev’s “perestroika”. In 1985 he was elected chairman of the Avar political and socio-cultural and national movement Jamaat. In 1992, Aliyev was released from the Writers’ Union of Dagestan. In an open letter to former colleagues in Peru Adallo explained his desire to move “to draw public attention to the continuing in Dagestan, in a veiled form of nomenklatura-criminal tyranny and lawlessness”.
In 1994, Aliyev became the chief editor of the independent newspaper “The Way of Islam.” Most went to Chechnya, which enabled the poet to engage close acquaintance with almost all official and unofficial leaders of Ichkeria. In 1998 Adallo elected first deputy chairman of the Congress of Peoples of Ichkeria and Dagestan (chairman was Shamil Basayev).
In 1999, after the invasion of Dagestan militias Basayev and Khattab, mostly consisting of fellow Adallo, Aliyev has been declared a federal and international wanted list for alleged involvement in armed rebellion and left Russia. At that time, the Dagestani authorities have taken several measures in order to discredit and silence the name of the poet: pages with his verses were taken out of all the textbooks, was also destroyed by the republican radio music library with songs to the words Adallo. Abroad were released Adallo several books, including English and Turkish languages.
poet returned to his homeland in 2004, with the consent of the leaders of Dagestan and the support of several prominent Russian poets and writers, members of Russia’s PEN – Andrei Voznesensky , Andrei Bitov, Fazil Iskander and others. Against the return Adallo repeatedly and publicly advocated the late Minister of Internal Affairs of Dagestan Adilgerey Magomedtagirov. In October 2004 Adallo sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment (suspended) for “incitement to violent overthrow of power” and “participation in illegal vooruzhnnyh formations. In early August 2007 saw the publication of another book of the poet’s “Dialogues with Adallo” ( “Book II”). Several times Adallo Aliyev met with the President of Dagestan Mukhu Aliyev, in which, among other things, discussed issues of surveillance of the two sons of the poet unknown persons whom he believed Adallo representatives of power structures.
In an interview with “Caucasian node” Adallo Aliyev spoke about his view on today’s events in Dagestan and the North Caucasus.
– What is happening in Dagestan?
– There is a wonderful film “Cold Summer fifty-three” Alexander Proshkin, which are remarkable artists Anatoly Papanov and Valery Priemykhov. For those who do not remember or do not know, I recall that in 1953 there was an amnesty because of the death of Stalin. Then simultaneously at large were entirely different people. And the film director on a plan on an isolated island find Zeki killer, peaceful people, the captain of a reconnaissance and a humanist, a former soldier, has passed through the Gulag. Zeki, who were the majority, felt that their hour had come. They began to build up the island world of its own criminal concepts. Acted ruthlessly. It seemed that nothing will stop them – but ultimately almost all criminals killed Captain reconnaissance.
Exactly the same thing is happening in today’s Dagestan: he became an island, where their rules of the game does not dictate the most law-abiding citizens, and outside assistance is not already in that year. Now Republic is waiting for her intelligence, humanist, who must clean up its Augean stables.
– The situation in Daghestan, to some extent exacerbated the confrontation between the authorities, security agencies and part of the Dagestani society that wants to live in accordance with the rules of Islam. This opposition has a tendency to increase, or the opposite is true?
– Unfortunately, the confrontation will only get worse. And the basis of all is misunderstanding the situation, when some officials in Moscow and in the field decided that any problem can be solved by pressure and violence. Instead of constructive dialogue, we see a direct pressure, harassment of young Muslims, the image of a new enemy, and even the notorious raid.
– Can the so-called Salafites in Dagestan fearlessly follow their views?
– I I do not accept the term “salafi”, as “Wahhabi” – there is only a true Muslim who wants to follow the Holy Quran and the ways of our Prophet (peace be upon him and welcomed!). But once the term has become a traditional circumflex, we assume that there Salafites in Dagestan, which is usually referred to as Wahhabis. They pressured from all sides.
Here I have a long beard. The same was in all the prophets, the righteous Imams and our ancestors. The same bore and the legendary Imam Shamil of Chechnya and Dagestan. Now wearing a beard, even for me, eighty men, big problem, because a certain part of society and all law enforcement officials consider it an attribute of the Wahhabis. I can not go on the obligatory Friday prayers, because I feel clear and tension around them. Police also detain young people very often for possession of even a small beard. No fewer problems with the fair sex, wearing hijab. They are prohibited from attending schools, universities, they do not take the job. There is violence against those people who believe that they should follow the Qur’an and hadiths.
I often travel to his district. I watch local television. Each time show the same thing: rallies, someone’s statement that the Wahhabis have to cut, kill, head of cut. And such is repeated throughout Dagestan. Where to watch the power, where the police watch?
– What position in this confrontation is the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Dagestan? Could it be the representatives of intermediaries between the authorities and the “power ministers” on the one hand, and supporters of pure Islam – on the other?
– Mediation is possible because the official clergy clearly took the side of the authorities and security officials.
– Our reader not familiar with the specifics of Dagestan and North Caucasian Islam. If not hard to enlighten him, please.
– I am not a scientist, to give a detailed description of Islam, especially across the North Caucasus. But from the standpoint of the average Muslim can note the following: mainly in the region profess the Sunni areas of mashabu (religious-legal school) of Imam Shafi’i. A small part of the indigenous population consider themselves to Hanafi Sunni Islam mashabu direction. This – the Turkic peoples: Nogai, Tatars, part Kumyk, Karachay and Balkar. There are Shiites, who mainly live in southern Dagestan, 95% of them – the Azeris. Shiites consider themselves Ja’fari sense that dominates in modern Iran.
Relation to Shi’ism in Sunni negative, but due to extremely densely populated Shiite enclave in the Shiite and hide their own religious affiliation practical manifestations Xenophobia still not observed.
The big development in the region received Sufism different directions. Today, only in Dagestan, there are 17 sheikhs, in their murids are up to 30 thousand people. Here there are five main Sufi brotherhoods (virdov), which are almost mono-ethnic composition.
– And how relations between the followers of Sufism and Salafites?
– Let’s call them just unfriendly. Salafites deny many, in their opinion, the provisions of the pagan, practicing Sufis. They totally do not recognize the cult of the many “saints” sheikhs and places, have condemned the imposition of any innovation in religion, cooperation with official authorities and so on.
The Sufis also did not remain in debt. They argue that Salafites – British and Israeli spies, the enemies of Islam and so on.
– How compatible in modern society secular laws and traditions of Sharia law, adat? What should I do to this union was possible?
– No need to confuse the sharia and adat. The first – from the religious sphere, the second – folk customs. At Sharia state has always pressed, Agama it has always provided assistance. And so we should talk about the compatibility of so-called secular values and religion.
Honestly, I do not think this division. Moreover, I will say that just yet, and Islam is the light for everyone in it and there are very secular laws. If you go into practice, there is no contradiction in the global aspects. Human freedom, private ownership of the means of production, respect for each other – all this lies in Islam, is the core of religion. Islam categorically does not accept the bank lending rate, adultery, non-traditional forms of sex, other vices of man. What’s wrong, and who can now, after a new economic world crisis, declare that, for example, interest on loans – a good thing?
– What now, after 10 years after the destruction of Muslim enclaves occur in the so-called Kadar zone?
– I will not leave, and what was happening, how people live, do not know, but it is unlikely the problem of Dagestan spared Kadar zone. Perhaps there is and has its own specifics.
– October 7, 2009 marked the second anniversary of the proclamation of the Caucasus Emirate. What is your assessment of this fact, and as the proclamation of the Emirate will affect the overall situation in the region?
– is a difficult question. But history has already shown that Moscow has always sought to control every process in the region. It appears that the center will soon be controlled and the process.
– you know, Doku Umarov, who now proclaimed Amir of the Caucasus Emirate. Describe him as a person, military leaders, politicians.
– I did not know him closely. There were several times when Doku came together with a close friend, the late Gamzatov (Ruslan) Gelayev. Doku was a quiet, taciturn man, he liked to hear more. On his competence to judge a warrior and policies to other people, professionals.
– What future for the region in connection with the transition of the war for independence in a war for the establishment of a unified Islamic state in the territories of the North Caucasian republics?
– The future is known only to God. But I always said that even the smallest nation to live independently, freely, because the God created us independent. The same is written in the documents of the UN, other international organizations. At the same time we must realize that independence does not mean a complete break ties. Consider the situation with Dagestan. I always say that Russia is feeding me. But why should she feed me? I have, that there is no head, hands? Nor should I, mountaineer, to feed the Russian peasant. ‘ve Never been and never should be. I’ll have to feed themselves, but break ties with the peasant will not: I suggested to him, let apricot, he told me – potatoes. So we live, happy with each other.
– Many analysts have openly called the situation in Dagestan “low intensity civil war. Do you agree with these assessments?
– I would have removed the word “sluggish” because in Dagestan is a full-fledged civil war. Just look at the statistics. Over the past few years have killed hundreds of young people, Dagestanis stand on opposite sides of the barricades.
– There is a perception that poverty and unemployment – the main catalyst for social and religious conflicts and violence in the region, and the best remedy for this – a prosperity in the homes of citizens and their confidence in the future. Is this true?
– Looking somewhat simplified. Of course, material wealth – is good, but severokavkaztsam, Daghestanians more important relationship to them, respect their dignity, equal treatment for all. And it shows the whole history of Dagestan, the region as a whole. Dagestanis, Highlanders rebelled not because they have experienced any material deprivation or to improve their situation: they were fighting for their own independence, way of life.
– What should be done authorities of the republic and Russia to improve the socio-political situation in the region?
– All the trite: Policymakers should not isolate themselves from people of high fences and police post. The law must be one for all. It is necessary to actually fight the evils, and not to declare their good wishes. President of Russia all the time talks about the fight against corruption, but in Dagestan as rampant bribery and thriving. Not a single official has not instituted any criminal case, no one had to leave his office.
– And then, in Dagestan, North Caucasus will lasting peace?
– Peace will come – and when it wants to Moscow. It is necessary to expand the powers of local authorities. This is not the case when the entire power block under the control of the center. Recondite forces conduct raid in the region, demolished entire neighborhoods, killing young people, and ask no one to answer. It should not be.
– Eighteen months ago, in an interview with the Caucasian node “You spoke of harassment by the authorities of your children, spying on them, the impossibility of employment. The situation changed?
– me, my family has not some vague “power”. I have met three times with the president of Dagestan Mukhu Aliyev: this man wants to change, but he’s not allowed to carry out reforms. A prosecution engaged and involved police, the FSB, the security forces. Just where any incident – once there is surveillance. Children are my way and not employed, but with hunger, we do not die.
– What are you busy, creative plans?
– Nothing concrete is available. Sitting at home, writing books. Sometimes invited to public events, go there. Published seven volumes of my works, is preparing to release the eighth volume. Helps sponsors – for my pension is little to be issued.
11 December 20009, the
With Adallo Aliyev spoke correspondent “Caucasian Knot” Akhmed Magomedov.
