Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin sent condolences on the death of prominent religious figure Sharabuttin-Hajji Chochaev:

On behalf of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation, all our clergy and myself personally, I express my deep condolences to all Muslims of the North Caucasus in connection with the passing away of the prominent religious figure, authoritative alim and servant of Islam Sharabuttin-Hajji Chochaev.

Our late brother, a graduate of the Mir Arab madrasa and the Tashkent Islamic Institute, enjoyed unquestionable authority among the clergy and among his colleagues - heads of Islamic educational institutions. He devoted his life to the creation and development of the North Caucasus Islamic University named after Imam Abu Hanifa, and to the education of the young generation of servants of Islam.

Verily, we all belong to Allah and to Him is our return!

And may Almighty Allah accept Sharabuttin-Hajji Chochaev's soul, forgive him all his sins and reward him with the best fate in Eternity. In these difficult moments we share the pain of loss with relatives and friends of the deceased, his companions and disciples.

Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin