Ahmad Afandi Abdulaev

Ahmad Afandi Abdulaev (АхӀмад ХӀажи ГӀабдулаев, Абдулаев, Ахмад Магомедович; born 15 September 1959, Upper Inkho, Gumbetovsky district) is the mufti of Dagestan, Russia. He serves as Chairman of the Muftiate of the Republic of Dagestan, Sheikh of Naqshbandi and Shadhili tariqas, one of the spiritual leaders of Dagestani Muslims.

Early life
Ahmad Haji Afandi Abdulaev was born on September 15, 1959, in the Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, in the village of Inkho, Gumbetovsky District. From his earliest years, Ahmad Haji studied Arabic and Islam. His family practiced devotion to faith, even during Soviet times, when believers were persecuted. His relatives took care of their faith and raised their children according to Islamic precepts. Ahmad Haji is the grandson of the famous Sufi sheikh of Naqshbandi and Shazali Tariqas Abdulhamid-Afandi.

Career
In 1991, Ahmad-Haji became the imam of a mosque in Kizilyurt district. In 1992 he began teaching at the Islamic Institute in Kizilyurt, where he served as Rector. In 1998, at the Council of the Alims of Dagestan, Abdulaev was elected as mufti and chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Dagestani Muslims.

Awards

 * Order of Merit "For services to the Republic of Dagestan" (2009)
 * Anniversary Medal "50th Anniversary of ROSSNAA" (Russian Society of Solidarity and Cooperation of the Peoples of Asia and Africa) (2011)
 * Gold Star of the People's Hero of Dagestan (2015)
 * Commemorative Medal in honor of opening of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque complex (2015)
 * Medal of Honor of Dagestan Republic "For the love of his native land" (2016)
 * Golden "Order of the Peacemaker" (2018)
 * Memorable badge of RosAviation "95 years of Civil Aviation of Russia" (2018)
 * Anniversary Commemorative Medal "90th Anniversary of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Dagestan" (2018)
 * Memorable badge of the Russian Parliament "25 years of The Federation Council" (2019)
 * Order of Friendship (2019)
 * Order of Merit for the Ummah, I degree (2019)
 * Order of Glory and Honor (2019)
 * Medal "For Valiant Labor" - for services to the Republic of Dagestan (2021)
 * Medal "For loyalty to the Fatherland" (2021)