A secretive Muslim sect that believed their leader was a prophet and lived in a vast underground compound in Russia.
The Faizrakhmanist Movement, also known as the Fäyzraxmançılar, is an Islamic sect based in Tatarstan, Russia, known for its separatist and isolationist practices. Founded by Faizrakhman Sattarov, a former mufti, in the 1970s, the movement emerged following Sattarov’s declaration of prophethood in the mid-1960s, after a purported divine encounter involving sparks from a trolleybus cable, which he interpreted as a divine light from God. The sect’s beliefs deviate significantly from mainstream Islam, which holds that Muhammad is the last prophet, and they reject the modern Russian state and its laws, along with orthodox Islamic teachings.
Sattarov, born in 1929, began his religious journey as a Soviet-era imam, serving in several official mosques in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan during the 1970s. His increasingly radical interpretations of Islam and claims of divine revelation led to conflicts with traditional Islamic authorities. In the early 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Sattarov established his own religious community in Kazan, declaring himself the true successor to Prophet Muhammad and claiming that his followers were the only true Muslims. This declaration met with strong opposition from mainstream Muslim leaders and scholars.
The Faizrakhmanists emphasize their native roots and lack of association with other Russian and worldwide Islamic organizations. In the 1990s, Sattarov and his followers moved to a compound in Kazan, where they sought an isolated lifestyle, declaring themselves an independent Islamic state and living according to their interpretation of the Quran. The community opposed secular authorities, forbade outside medical help, and prohibited sending children to external schools. Sattarov taught his followers to avoid contact with the outside world, including government institutions, schools, and medical facilities, leading to concerns about the welfare of children born into the community.
In August 2012, Russian police discovered an eight-level complex of underground chambers beneath Sattarov’s home in Kazan, where 38 adults and 27 children lived in conditions described as catacomb-like. Most sect members were forbidden to leave the compound. The discovery led to charges of cruelty against children, with the children displaying symptoms of anemia and tuberculosis. Sattarov, then 83 years old and ill, was charged with “arbitrariness,” a criminal offense under Russian law.
In February 2013, the Faizrakhmanist religious group was banned as extremist. The prosecutor’s office argued that the community’s isolated way of life was harmful to both its members’ health and the children’s development. Although the group never propagated discrimination, hatred, or violence based on religion, the banning raised questions about the proportionality and applicability of anti-extremist measures in Russia.
The movement gained significant attention in 2012 when Russian authorities discovered their underground compound on the outskirts of Kazan. The compound, consisting of several interconnected subterranean rooms and tunnels, was built beneath Sattarov’s house. It was home to approximately 70 followers, including many children, some of whom had never been outside. The living conditions were found to be squalid, lacking basic amenities and proper ventilation. The authorities removed the children from the compound, citing concerns over their health, safety, and lack of formal education. Many of the adults were detained for questioning, and the movement’s activities were closely monitored by the state.
Sattarov and his followers lived in anticipation of an impending apocalypse, believing that their isolated existence would shield them from the world’s corruption and divine wrath. They adhered to a strict code of conduct, rejecting modern technology and medicine, and relying solely on their leader’s spiritual guidance for all aspects of life. The Russian government ultimately deemed the Faizrakhmanist Movement illegal, labeling it an extremist organization. In 2013, the movement faced further crackdowns, with many of its members being evicted from their underground compound. Sattarov faced legal charges, although he continued to assert his prophetic claims until his death in 2015.
Despite the legal ban and public scrutiny, reports suggest that some followers of the Faizrakhmanist Movement continued to practice their beliefs in secret. The exact number of adherents is difficult to determine due to the group’s secretive nature and the legal restrictions on its activities. The suppression of the Faizrakhmanist Movement raised questions about religious freedom in Russia and the state’s approach to non-traditional religious groups, with some human rights organizations expressing concern that the actions against the Faizrakhmanists could set a precedent for broader crackdowns on minority religious groups in Russia.
image via NPR
