Several hundred persons attended the solemn opening of Ichkerian General Isa Munaev’s Commemorable Exposition Stand on Sunday, September 6, despite the heavy rain. Isa was killed in battle near Debaltsevo earlier this year, in February. Personal stand containing the Peoples’ of Icheria and Ukraine Hero’s corporal possessions was settled in Ukrainian National Museum of Military History, and the exposition is to be enlarged in the future. The event coincided with 24th anniversary of Declaration of Independence of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and, despite the official part, included motor rally and lezghinka dancing performance when the rain died down. Besides, there was an awards ceremony honoring Chechen and Georgian voluntary fighters who defend Ukraine.
Mr.Isa Munaev’s comrades-in-arms, fighters from the Dzhokhar Dudaev International Peace-Making Battalion and Chechen Volunteer Special Forces Battalion “Shalena Zgraia” (Ukr. “Wild Pack of Wolves”); fighters of Georgian Volunteer Battalion under command of Mr.Mamuka Mamulashvili; Imam of Odessa Islamic Cultural Centre Mr.Bilal Hamze, MP and Crimean Tatar People’s Affairs Commissioner for the President of Ukraine Mr.Mustafa Dzhemilev, MP Mr.Ihor Mosiichuk, volunteers, public figures, and non-indifferent people of different ethnic origin came along to commemorate the late General’s memory.
“Ukrainian People’s Hero”
Many warm and sympathetic words were said of both the fallen Chechen general and volunteer fighters of different ethnic and national backgrounds who stand for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity. Ms.Maria Baziuk, Board member of the Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists, read greetings from the last Ichkerian President’s widow and presented a book of translations on selected Qur’anic Suras to Chechen language/
Mr.Andi Boyechko, Public figure and founder of “Ukrainian Pepople’s Hero” Award, kneeled in respect for all the voluntary battalions do to defend Ukraine.
By the way, “Ukrainian Pepople’s Hero” Award is really a nationwide recognition: it’s adjudged by open ballot in the social media rather than by decisions of the top brass. It was in the social medial also that people raised funds for buying enough silver for the trident-shaped pendants.
“You fight side by side with us for both our country and your country. I want to express my gratitude by kneeling, to thank you for being with us. I don’t even know how to express the importance of things you are doing for us now.”
“He Passed Away, Leaving His Good Name Behind”
Eastern wisdom says: “After the person dies, a good name is the only thing that’s left, and woe betide you if you can’t leave even that!”; this is definitely not Isa Munaev’s case, for the Brigade General remained a radiant memory for everyone who knew him at least the slightrest.
Fighter Kazbek, nom de guerre “Wanderer”, told that Isa feared for his honor most of all, and never spoke of his other fears if even there were any. “He never did foul deeds the Russians descend, and never believed in “any port in the storm” concept. We are proud that such a person represented our people for Ukrainian society,” — he said. — Today we honor not only Noxchi (my people’s self-designation) hero, but all the heroes fallen for freedom. Let’s honor them with one-minute silence? and may God rest them in peace!”
“If This Is Extremism — Than We Are All Islamic Extremists Here!” — A Priest
The event started with reciting the Qur’an, according to Muslim traditions. Both the Holy Book and Dua for those killed in battle were read by Mr.Bilal Hamze, Imam at Odessa Islamic Cultural Centre who came to Kyiv just for the occasion. Mr.Mustafa Dzhemilev prayed along with other Muslims.
“My dear friends, we all came today to honor the memory of a great warrior who gave his life defending the honor of his people; who left wealthy Denmark and came to ukraine to stand for our freedom, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Hail to Chechen people!” — Mustafa-aga said.
The event was opened by Imam, and summarized by Orthodox Priest, military chaplain Father Valentine. It was he who initiated a joint performance of Ukrainian anthem after the fighters were awarded (Georgian Christian fighters were given the Knight’s Cross, Georgian Muslim fighters — “Ukraine’s Unity” Medal, and Chechen fighters — with service medals “85th anniversary of paratroopers”).
“People often ask me: “Father, you have been alongside Muslims on the front line for a long time — what can you say about Islamic Extremism?”, and I always answer that We’ve been through many hardships side-by-side with Muslims, we shared the last firm crust of bread and last portion of pottage; we fully relied on each other… I saw Muslims hurrying to cover the guys delivered from captivity, taking off their own warm clothes…
If this is extremism — than we are all Islamic extremists here!
Thank God we have such wonderful people willing to give their lives for persons of other religious views. Hail to Ukraine, hail to Chechnya, hail to all the young men and women fighting for our land — hail to them all!”
Ichkerian Flag Took The Air After All
According to ms.Amina Okueva, Press-Secretary of Dzhokhar Dudaev International Peace-Making Battalion, thanked the Museum’s Administration for the opportunity of opening Isa Munaev’s personal stand, and coincide it with 24th anniversary of Ickeriya’s Proclamation of independence.
“We presented his personal belongings, and it took the whole corner to exhibit them. We are planning to bring some more things in the nearest future. In general, exposition depicting Maidan and ATO strikes me every time I walk in, for those are really the fighter’s personal possessions often taken from their corpses on the battlefield… As for our stand — Isa wore this jacket when he was killed, see this large hole in it? It was a splinted of the missile, and it forced its way through Isa’s body like this, from top downward, finding exit right above his heart… The rest of the things — the sweater, the helmet, battlefield glasses, chevrons, shoulder boards, go-to-meetings beret photographs….”
Amina told what inspired the late General to leave his wealthy life in Denmark behind, where he has been a citizen for many years.”He came here answering the call of the heart, preferring the chance to stand for Ukrainian people’s, whom he considered fraternal, defence over the peaceful life. Isa often used to say that Chechens and Ukrainians are united by a common tragedy, and that we have to unite our efforts as well in order to stop the conquerors. He truly believed that “Chechen Banderites” would rather defeat the aggressor or die in Ukraine, that there was no in-between. And of course it’s very nice that Ukrainian people remember him.”
Georgian fighters voiced similar reasons for fighting for Ukraine. Mr.Mamuka Mamulashvili, commander of Georgian Volunteer Battalion, believes in Ukraine’s, Chechnya’s and Georgia’s common bright future: “I think that’s the beginning of All-Caucasian Liberation Army, and of course is very important for Chechen and Georgian people, for both countries are occupied by Russia, in whole or in part. And now Ukrainians found themselves in a similar situation, too.”
Solemn launching of Ichkerian flag taking the air with the help of balloons decorated in Ukrainian, Georgian and Chechen colors and symbols, was symbolic as well. Ukrainian military set it free to float, after a Chechen fighter’s words “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful! Hail to Ukraine and freedom for the Caucasus!”.
The flag reached the roof level, shuddered to a halt for a moment or two, and them confidently took the air high in the sky, allaying fears that the cloth soaked in the rain and became too heavy for the balloons to lift.
Users on social ,media commented the flag-launching video, “It was symbolic in a way, that the flag gained height with joint efforts of symbols of the three peoples”. And that was indeed symbolic, for only together we can stand against the malice, the villainy, the subtlety of those who is too used to the fist-law.
by Tetyana Evloeva
