(Economist-UK) In the small Dagestani village of Novosasitli in the north Caucasus, dogs do not bark. All "unclean" animals have been exterminated. Most women wear the hijab. Alcohol is forbidden, polygamy common. Disputes are settled by imams. Abdurakhim Magomedov, a charismatic spiritual leader of Islamic fundamentalists, said, "Fifteen years ago, only half the people in Novosasitli wanted to live by sharia law. Today everyone in the village wants it." Salafism rejects secular rule and insists that Islam should govern all spheres of life. Ten years ago only 10% of people in Novosasitli were Salafis. Today at least 50% are, and almost all the young embrace it. Many of them have studied in Egypt and Syria, and speak Arabic.
2011-04-13 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive