02.09.2019

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov: Events in Beslan changed the world

3 September is the Day of Solidarity in the Fight against Terrorism. By President Vladimir Putin’s decree issued on 21 July 2005, this day was added to the list of memorable dates of the federal law on Military Glory days (Victorious Days) of Russia.

3 September is the day of mourning for all victims of the terrorist attacks as well as those who were killed in the line of duty during the rescue operations. On this day, people carry flowers to the monuments and memorials of those killed at the hands of terrorists.
This day is inextricably linked with the September tragedy of 2004 in Beslan, when the Knowledge Day turned into the day of mourning and sorrow. During the festive gathering dedicated to 1 September, militants entered the school and took teachers, children and their relatives hostage. For three days, 1,128 people were captured by gangsters.

 

As a result of the monstrous terrorist attack, more than 350 people were killed (including 150 children, women and military personnel) and over 500 injured. The death toll was put at one percent of the city’s population.

Every year, on 3 September, at exactly 13:05 (the time of the detonation of the first bomb in the gym), 335 white balls symbolizing the souls of the dead fly up to the sky at the Beslan memorial complex.
On the Day of Solidarity in the Fight against Terrorism, we recall all those who died during the terrorist acts in Budennovsk, Beslan, Pervomaisk, Volgograd and other cities.
Terrorism is one of the most dangerous and widespread threats to human life. Everyone knows that terrorist attacks constitute threats to the security of all humanity.
Incidentally, world terrorism has a rather long history. It first appeared during the French Revolution. As for Russia, our first terrorist groups arose before the revolution.
In recent years, our country has experienced the loss of thousands of its citizens because of terrible terrorist attacks in Moscow, Budennovsk, Kaspiysk, Kizlyar, Volgodonsk, Voronezh, St. Petersburg, Makhachkala, Grozny, Nazran, Pervomaisk, Vladikavkaz and other cities.
15 years have passed since the day of the Beslan tragedy. The Day of Solidarity in the Fight against Terrorism is the day when every citizen of our country should remember that to overcome hatred, fear and horror called “terrorism”, is possible only by respecting all the people and their religions.