The Eid al-Adha holiday prayer on July 31 in Moscow will take place only in the Cathedral mosque and with the participation of only representatives of the clergy without parishioners. This is stated in the resolution of the Council of Ulema of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation, published on Friday on the organization's website.
"Due to the threat of spreading a new coronavirus infection (2019-nCoV), festive prayer in Moscow will be held only in the Cathedral mosque with the participation of imams, muezzins and Deputy Muftis. In other mosques, as well as local religious organizations of Muslims, holding festive namaz is not recommended," the website says.
Regional religious boards of Muslims as part of the Religious Board of Muslims will independently decide on the format of festive prayers, taking into account the epidemiological situation. "The Council of Ulema decided to regional religious boards of Muslims independently make a decision on the procedure for holding the Eid al-Adha holiday prayer, taking into account the current epidemiological situation in their regions," the message reads.
The Ulema Council stressed that all Muslims are recommended to listen to the mufti's festive sermon online with their families, and to perform additional namaz on their own at the end of the prayer and sermon. "Traditionally, "Russia 1" Federal channel will broadcast a festive sermon by the Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin," the message notes.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar, Dhul-Hijjah, and marks the end of the Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. In Eid al-Adha, the service traditionally begins with sermons and a festive prayer, culminating with the sacrifice of animals.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Alina Kuptsova \ Pixabay
Based on materials from TASS