A controversial statement by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin about child marriage has reignited long-standing rumors and suspicions that he may have secretly converted to Islam, reports Dialog.ua.
Putin’s latest remarks, made on the 19th of December during the annual televised event known as the “Direct Line,” have angered Russia’s ultra-patriots. The Kremlin leader effectively voiced support for the practice of child marriage, which formally violates Russian law but is in fact practiced in several regions, primarily in the North Caucasus. “In the Caucasus there is a very good tradition: they marry off their children at a fairly young age. I spoke with Ramzan Kadyrov; he has a large family, and we should follow his example,” said the Russian dictator.
These remarks immediately triggered a strong reaction among Russian ultra-patriots, many of whom have long suspected that Putin may have abandoned Russian Orthodoxy.
The suspicions intensified in the summer of 2024, when during a visit to Chechnya the Kremlin leader demonstratively kissed the Quran while visiting the newly built Prophet Isa Mosque in Grozny. Commenting on these rumors, Russian political strategist Stanislav Belkovsky acknowledged that reports of Putin’s secret conversion to Islam could, in theory, be true.
However, the expert expressed doubt that the Kremlin leader is genuinely religious.
“Rumors are growing that Putin has secretly converted to Islam. This has also been fueled by his close rapprochement with the Gulf monarchies and their informal but influential lobbyist, Stephen Witkoff. People are asking: why did the Russian leader publicly kiss the Quran? Just for show, technically? Yes, that is entirely possible. In the Russian Federation, where the de facto dominant cult is the religion of Mammon, the Abrahamic religions are merely technical instruments for the ruling elite. Today they kiss the Quran, tomorrow the Gospel — what’s the difference?” Belkovsky said.
In religious terms (particularly in Christianity), Mammon represents wealth, greed, and material avarice. In the Bible, Mammon is portrayed almost as a rival master or deity served by those who place money at the center of their lives.
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