Last Thursday, teaching staff of madrasah “Sheikh Said” and activists of Saratov Muslim community headed by co-chairman of Russian Muftis Council Muqaddas hazrat Bibarsov visited Tatar villages of Penza Oblast known under the name of Alti Avil.

“Alti Avil” is the name of six villages located in Kamensky district of Penza Oblast (namely, Mochaleyka, Reshetino, Kobylkino, Kuteevka, Kikino and Telyatino) that were founded in XVIIXVIII centuries by Tatars fleeing from forceful christianization. Muslims had to leave their native lands to save their faith.

Nowadays the population of Alti Avil numbers more than 5000 people.

Guests from Saratov met Muslims of Mochaleyka in the village mosque. During the visit, co-chairman of the Muftis Council expressed his regret over the lack of communication experienced by local Muslims. Muqaddas hazrat has also suggested that in our age of globalisation, visits to historical sites can spiritually inspire people and help them maintain their religious and national identity.

Besides that, Saratov mufti touched on the themes of raising the young, spiritual impoverishment and other social diseases. According to Muqaddas hazrat Bibarsov, the only way to solve these problems is to be grateful towards the Creator and follow His testaments. The co-chairman of the Muftis Council also asked fellow Muslims to make du’as and ask Allah to bestow prosperity and spiritual wealth upon everyone.

In the village of Kikino, Muslims of Saratov visited two mosques wh ere they got better acquainted with the history of Alti Avil, and also learned that famous Tatar religious scholar Musa Bigiev was a native of this village.

In the end, guests from Saratov thanked locals for hearty welcome and made a group photo.

Press centre of the Religious Board of Muslims of Saratov Oblast