Grozny, August 22 – During a visit to Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, Russian President Vladimir Putin was seen kissing the Holy Quran in a gesture of respect at the Jesus Mosque, the largest mosque in Europe.

The visit took place on August 21, 2024, where Putin presented a gold-encrusted Quran to the mosque authorities, further highlighting the significance of the moment. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov accompanied the Russian president and guided him through the mosque, which was inaugurated in 2019.

Located in Grozny and covering an area of approximately 10,000 square meters, the Jesus Mosque is a symbol of Chechnya's religious and cultural identity. Putin's gesture of kissing the Quran has been seen as a sign of respect toward the Muslim community in Russia.