The Congress of the Peoples of the Caucasus (CPC) has supported Margarita Simonyan in her conflict with Ramazan Alpaut (pictured), a journalist with Idel.Radio Svoboda. Commenting on Simonyan’s statement, which became the cause of the conflict, CPC Chairman Ali Totorkulov said: «Everyone wants to preserve their people, culture, country, and so on. There is absolutely nothing reprehensible in her statements, especially since she herself is a Caucasian woman and cannot wish harm to the Caucasus. The overwhelming majority of Russians agree with her».
It should be noted, however, that not all Russians agreed with Simonyan’s opinion. For example, Shamsail Sarailov, a State Duma deputy from the Chechen Republic, commented on her calls to resist the «Islamization» of Russia in a polite but harsh manner. On his Facebook page, he wrote: «Margarita Simonyan of RT said that Russia could allegedly become Muslim and predicted the presidency for Nurmagomedov. She said it as if secretly, hastily adding after each word that of course she has nothing against anyone. But she does. Otherwise she would not have raised this issue under the guise of patriotism and good intentions to protect Russians from non-Russians. It can be seen as ordinary women’s gossip in the midst of hormonal waves and should not be taken seriously, but such mistakes are unacceptable from officials, from high-ranking state ideologues. Be aware, Margarita Simonyan, that Russians, as a nation that founded the state and never lost a single war, do not need unsolicited advice and are capable of protecting themselves. Russia was, is and will be a great world power where representatives of many confessions and ethnic groups live in harmony and peace. Our country has enough space even for those who have their own separate and independent state based on their national characteristics. Russia, with its generosity, accepts everyone. But when the editor-in-chief of Russia’s federal television channel tries to sow the seeds of nationalism in our country, it is not acceptable.