The leaders of the North Caucasus republics expressed condolences to the family of the late head of the North Caucasus Muslim Coordination Center (NCMCC) Ismail-haji Berdiev.

The 70-year-old chairman of the NCMCC died on the evening of August 5. Before his death, Berdiev fell into a coma due to complications from COVID, which he suffered in 2020.

Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, Ingushetia: "Ismail-haji made an invaluable contribution to strengthening interfaith peace and harmony in the North Caucasus, to the spiritual education of youth."

Sergey Melikov, Dagestan: "The mufti was known and respected throughout the Muslim world as an authoritative spiritual leader and mentor with deep knowledge of man. Over the years of his dedicated work, Ismail-haji Alievich did much to preserve the best traditions of Muslim theology, <…>, and strengthen Islam as a religion of peace and creation."

Rashid Temrezov, Karachay-Cherkessia: "The wise and authoritative word of the spiritual leader always sounded loudly and strengthened the spirit of believers, contributed to the establishment of high moral and ethical human qualities and the revival of spirituality in society."

Kazbek Kokov, Kabardino-Balkaria: "Being an outstanding religious and public figure, enjoying well-deserved respect and great authority among people, Ismail-haji Berdiev devoted his entire life to serving Islam, the ideals of goodness and justice. <…> The memory of him will forever remain in our hearts."