Iftar organized by Chechen authorities passed amid boycott of Tumso's supporters

In Grozny, a mass breaking of the fast was attended by townspeople, residents of neighbouring regions and tourists, the Grozny Mayoralty has reported. The blogger, Tumso Abdurakhmanov, had called to boycott the event, since it was organized by the authorities.

According to the Grozny Mayoralty, on Friday, May 31, 2019, the Iftar was attended by 20,000 people. It was timed to the Night of Predestination on the 27th day of the Muslim month of Ramadan.

The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, said that Iftar was organized by his mother.

The blogger, Tumso Abdurakhmanov, a well-known critic of Kadyrov, in his YouTube channel, called on residents of the republic to boycott the "people's Iftar", organized by the authorities. In his opinion, this event is organized with the aim to show "what a good Padishah Kadyrov is."

"Indeed, this is, firstly, a show event, and, secondly, it is forbidden to eat food that is put up for unfairly earned money," said Yusup, a resident of Grozny.

In Russia, the authorities' appeal to Muslims' religious feelings may be caused by the influence of the West, Akhmet Yarlykapov, a scientist, has suggested.

"During Ramadan, US presidents began holding Iftars in the White House. In Europe and Canada, a number of rulers arrange evening de-fasting for Muslims. This is a promotion act of goodwill towards Muslims aimed to relieve some tensions," Mr Yarlykapov has noted.

"Broad actions create visibility of care for people," said Mikhail Roschin, an Orientalist. According to his story the Iftar in Chechnya is the most populous in Russia.