Kabardians

Kabardians are the largest Circassian group in the world in general and form the largest group in Russia, Turkey, Egypt, and other countries. Kabardians numbered around 520,000 in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia, and about 50,000 in Karachay-Cherkessia in Russia. In Turkey, where more than 1 million live, and there are communities in the United States. In Israel and Jordan, respectively, Shapsugs and Abzakhs are the largest groups. == Religion ==

Religions historically practiced by Kabardians include the native Adyghe Xabze faith, Christianity and Islam. The majority of Kabardians had converted to Islam by the early 19th century. There are also still some adherents to traditional Xabze beliefs, with 1.8% of Kabardians practicing in Kabardino-Balkaria, although most Kabardians are either Non-denominational or Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi school. From April 2004 to December 2010, the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (SAMKBP) was led by Anas Pshikhachev. RIA Novosti considered him to be one of the most influential Muslim religious figures of the North Caucasus. Kabardians also constituted one of the earliest Christian communities in Europe, converting in the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries. Kabardians living in Mozdoksky District in the Republic of North Ossetia–Alania are Orthodox Christians. Some of the Kabardians living in the southern part of the neighbouring Kursky district of Stavropol Krai are also Orthodox Christians. == Notable Kabardians ==

• Adil-Giray Atazhukin • Aleguko Shogenukov • Alexander A. Cherkassky • Alexey Cherkassky – Chancellor of the Russian Empire during the reign of Empress Elizabeth • Alexander Bekovich-Cherkassky – Prince of Kabarda • Alexander N. Bekovich-Cherkassky • Amirkhan Shomakhov • Atazhuko Atazhukin • Armande Kumpal Kabartay Altaï-Magini • Aslanbek Khushtov – Member of the Parliament of Kabardino-Balkarian Republic and athlete who has won a gold medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics • Avenir Tchemerzine – Colonel of the Russian imperial army and mathematician before becoming a bibliographer • Bidar Kadın – Imperial consort of Abdul Hamid II of the Ottoman Empire • Boris Cherkassky • Caner Dagli – Islamic scholar and author • Dmitry Cherkassky • Doamna Ecaterina Cercheza – Princess consort of the Voivode of Moldavia as the wife of Vasile Lupu • Elmirza Bekovich-Cherkassky • Fyodor A. Bekovich-Cherkasski • Fyodor N. Bekovich-Cherkasski • Grigory Cherkassky • Janseid Wuvizhuqo • Idar of Kabardia • Inal the Great – Prince of Kabarda • Ismail Bey Atazhukin • Ivan Amashuk • Ivan B. Cherkassky – Cousin of Michael I of Russia • Ivan E. Cherkassky • Jacop Cherkassky • Kasbulat Cherkassky • Kasei Atazhukin • Kambulat Cherkassky • Kelemet Cherkassky • Kudenet Cherkassky • Kurgoko Atazhukin • Ladislas du Luart, Comtesse Leïla Hagondokoff – Recipient of the National Order of Merit and National Order of the Legion of Honor (Commander), model for the French high-fashion house Chanel • Ludmilla Monique Tchérina • haseki Mahidevran sultan – Imperial consort of Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire • Mamstryuk Cherkassky • Maria Temryukovna – Tsaritsa of the Tsardom of Russia as the wife of Ivan the Terrible • Michael A. Cherkassky I • Michael A. Cherkassky II • Michael T. Cherkassky • Michael Y. Cherkassky • Mutsal Cherkassky • Nikita Egupov-Cherkassky • Peter Amashukov-Cherkassky • Peter B. Cherkassky • Pshemakho Kotsev - Second Prime Minister of the Mountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus. • Roslanbek Atazhukin • Rusudan of Circassia – Queen consort of Georgia (Kartli) as the wife of Vakhtang the Lawgiver • Servetseza Kadın – First wife of Abdulmejid I of the Ottoman Empire • Sholokh Cherkassky • Simon Cherkassky • Sunchalei Cherkassky • Temryuk – Prince of Kabarda • Vasily Amashukov-Cherkassky • Vasily Kardanukovich Cherkassky • Vladimir Cherkassky – Mayor of Moscow (1868–1870) • Yefim Bekovich-Cherkassky • Yuri Temirkanov – Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra since 1988 • Zaur Tutov File:Naglaa Fathy.jpg File:Leila Fawzy.jpg File:Hind Rostom.jpg File:Mariam Fakhr Eddine.jpg File:Tharwat Zubaida.jpg File:Türkan Şoray, 2014.jpg File:Farida Queen of Nile.jpg File:Nefise Karatay.jpg File:Leïla Hagondokoff.jpg File:Aleksey Mikhailovich Tcherkassky.PNG File:Arslan Bey Toguz.jpg File:Youssef Zulficar Pasha.png File:Yuri Temirkanov and Vladimir Putin - 14 December 2013 - 1 (crop).jpg File:Armande Altaï 2010.jpg File:Hussein Fahmy.JPG File:Ufa-Mordovia (1).jpg File:Cherkassky v2 p9.gif File:Facial Chronicle - b.23, p. 097.jpg File:Facial Chronicle - b.23, p. 100.jpg File:Maria Temryukovna's ring.jpg == See also ==