Cities of Faith | Chechnya
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Chechnya is a predominantly Muslim region in the North Caucasus of Russia. The history of Islam in Chechnya dates back to the 8th century, when Arab armies first brought Islam to the region. Over the centuries, Chechen society has been deeply influenced by Islamic culture, with many Chechens embracing Islam as their religion.
In the 19th century, Chechnya was conquered by the Russian Empire, and many Chechens resisted Russian rule in the name of Islam. This resistance continued into the Soviet era, when Chechen Muslims were persecuted for their beliefs.
In the 1990s, Chechnya gained independence from Russia, but the region descended into a brutal conflict that was fueled in part by religious and ethnic tensions. Today, Chechnya remains a deeply conservative Muslim society, with strong adherence to traditional Islamic values and customs.