(Kizlyar, Russia) -- Up to two-thousand Muslims from the northern region of Russia are daily making the pilgrimage to the small Russian town of Kizlyar to see nine-month-old Ali Yakubov.

The child's parents claim verses of the Koran appear and disappear on the child's body.

Witnesses say last week the verse "Be thankful or grateful to Allah" appeared in Arabic on the blue-eyed toddler's leg.

Later, the verse faded away.

The infant's mother claims the Koranic verses began appearing on the child two weeks after birth, and says Allah has sent her a "miracle child to keep the people safe." The head of the Kizlyar region said the child is a sign from God.

Skeptics say the clamour around the baby is a diversion from the mounting Islamist militant threat in the area.

　

(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)