The Shura, which controls an area of Russia's Dagestan region near the border with the breakaway Chechen Republic, also issued a declaration of a state of war, and called on all Chechens to aid their struggle.

Declaration of independence

In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate! We, the Muslims of Dagestan, officially declare the restoration of the independent Islamic state of Dagestan.

Placing our hope in the help and mercy of God, we declare that jihad in Dagestan is a fard [religious obligation] for every Muslim.

It is the duty of every Muslim to rise up and defend the Islamic state and fight until the infidels are driven completely from Muslim territory.

May God help us! God is Great!

Declaration of war

In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate!

In view of Russia's age-old occupation of the Islamic state of Dagestan, the Islamic Shura of Dagestan decrees:

• To introduce a state of war throughout the entire territory of Dagestan.

• To organise military commandant's offices in all Dagestan's districts.

• To organise shari'ah courts on all the liberated territories.

Call for help

Appeal to the Islamic Chechen state and people:

In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate!

The Islamic Shura of Dagestan appeals to the Islamic Chechen state and Chechen people and to the mujahedin and defenders of the religion of God who have raised the banner of Islam and the honour and dignity of the Muslim Ummah [community] with a call to support the Muslims of Dagestan, and also to establish direct relations with the Islamic state of Dagestan as demanded by God's shari'ah.

The Islamic Shura of Dagestan