Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Fitr (Uraza Bayram) on Thursday, the breaking of fasts after the holy month of Ramadan, Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of Russia and the Council of Muftis of Russia (CMR) Mufti Ravil Gaynutdin congratulated the believers, noting that this year's Ramadan was not easy for the community due to the coronavirus.
"Undoubtedly, this Ramadan was not easy for the ummah (community), just like the last one. As fasting people, we have continued to fight an insidious virus that has taken hundreds of thousands of lives, severely affecting the health of millions. We pray to Allah to raise our co-religionists who died as a result of COVID-19 to the rank of shahid and lead them to paradise," Mufti said in a message.
Due to the epidemiological situation this year, festive prayers in the Cathedral, Memorial and Historical Mosques of Moscow will be held without parishioners, only with the participation of the clergy.
"Undoubtedly, we are saddened by the fact that in Moscow and a number of other Russian cities due to the pandemic there is no opportunity for the entire ummah to gather for holiday prayers and experience the beautiful feelings of unity of the ummah in a single impulse and festive enthusiasm. May the words of Allah Almighty be a consolation to us: "Whoever saves the life of a man, it is as if he saves the life of all men." After all, in refusing to go to the mosque on the day of the holiday for a good and valid reason, our main intention is to save lives, not to become the cause of new infections and deaths!" Mufti Gaynutdin noted in his address to the believers.
Traditionally on Uraza Bayram, after the prayers in the mosques, there are mass meals to which representatives of different confessions are invited.
"We don't divide anyone, we invite both priests and rabbis and Buddhist monks. A Muslim should definitely invite his neighbors to the holiday table - and not just Muslims. We have neighbors who are Jews, Buddhists, representatives of other Christian groups. We are happy to invite them," Moscow mufti Albir Krganov, head of the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia, told RIA Novosti.
He noted that representatives of different confessions were also present at iftars (evening fasting meals during the month of Ramadan), which has already become "part of Russia's religious culture."
"This is very good because we live in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state. And religious beliefs should unite, not divide. We understand this and follow this path," concluded the Mufti.
Four regions of Russia declared extra days off after the May vacations because of the holiday of Uraza-Bairam. Tatarstan and Bashkiria will have May 13 as a day off, the Crimea - May 14, and Daghestan - both dates, the heads of the regions signed the corresponding decrees.
Uraza Bayram traditions
The tradition of breaking the fast dates back to the time of the prophet Mohammed in 624 and is one of the major Islamic festivals. On the eve and on the day of the feast (before Eid al-Fitr) the poor have to collect alms (Zakat al-Fitr).
After the holiday prayer, the festive table is laid, and friends, neighbors and relatives are invited. Believers congratulate each other with the words: "Eid mubarak! (blessed holiday!). On this day it is also customary to give gifts and ask each other for forgiveness.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Mikhail Tereshchenko / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti