GROZNY, September 20 (RIA Novosti) - The president of the Russian North Caucasus republic of Chechnya urged all Muslims on Sunday to unite against Wahhabism, following the murder of a Muslim cleric in the Republic of Karachayevo-Circassia.

Ismail Bostanov, deputy chairman of the Muslim Board of Karachayevo-Circassia and Stavropol, was killed on Sunday in an attack on his car at a filling station in the town of Cherkessk in Russia's North Caucasus Republic of Karachayevo-Circassia.

"What has happened today proves again that all Muslims must act against Wahhabism. If we want to stem this evil, the fight against it must be tough and continued," Ramzan Kadyrov said in a statement.

The Chechen leader said Bostanov was a deeply religious man, adding that the murder occurred during Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims.

"He [Bostanov] held an exceptionally principled position on reactionary Wahhabism and extremism. There were assassination attempts on his life before but they didn't break his will or frighten him. In his sermons he led an uncompromising struggle against those who use Islamic slogans to commit cruel murders, terrorist acts and discredit our religion," the statement said.

Kadyrov conveyed condolences to the relatives of the murdered Muslim cleric.

The Russian North Caucasus republics of Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia and Karachayevo-Circassia have seen an upsurge of militant violence of late, with frequent attacks on police and officials.