By Farangis Najibullah and RFE/RL's Tajik Service November 08, 2025

A bus driver in Russia's Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk was investigated last month after he prayed at a bus terminal while passengers waited inside the vehicle.

The man, believed to be a Central Asian migrant, was clearedof any wrongdoing after it was found that he was on a break. But footage of him praying triggered online anger in Russia.

Some worshippers pray on the streets and sidewalks in Russia, which is home to millions of Muslims, including migrants from Central Asia. But the practice of street praying has provoked growing resentment in Russia as hostility and violence toward Muslim migrants surge.

Central Asian migrants have experienced intensified police raids, deportations, and mistreatment in Russia in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall in March 2024. Several Tajik citizens were arrested over their alleged involvement in the attack.

Critics say praying on sidewalks, in parking lots, or on public transport is inconsiderate and even provocative. But worshippers say there is a shortage of mosques in many parts of Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. Muslims also pray five times a day, including during working hours, making trips to mosques difficult.

In March, the authorities in Russia's Pacific port city of Vladivostok took disciplinary action against another bus driver after footage was postedon social media showing him praying in front of his vehicle.

"The driver was advised to seek alternative, more secluded locations for religious rites to avoid causing inconvenience to others," the Vladivostok municipal authorities were quoted as sayingin a statement.

The issue of Muslim migrants praying in public spaces has been raised by senior Russian officials.

"While I'm not against Islamic prayers, I think it's pretty weird when someone on the subway rolls out a prayer mat or a minibus driver starts praying," saidValeriy Fadeev, head of Russia's presidential human rights council, an advisory body, during a visit to Uzbekistan in October.