All mosques and prayer grounds in Moscow and the surrounding region are prepared for the Eid al-Adha holiday, which will begin on June 16 and last until sunset on June 19, according to Mufti Rushan Abbyasov, Depputy Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims (RBM) of the Russian Federation.
"Today, all our mosques and specially designated additional sites are ready. There are about 10 sites in Moscow and 50 sites in the Moscow region where Muslims can perform festive prayers and listen to sermons from our imams," Abbyasov announced at a press conference.
He noted that, as usual, the main venue for celebrating Eid al-Adha in Moscow will be the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, where the head of the RBM of the Russian Federation, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, will deliver a festive sermon on Sunday morning. Abbyasov reminded attendees that after the festive prayer and sermon, believers can go to specially designated places in the Moscow region, such as farms and slaughterhouses, to perform the ritual sacrifice of an animal.
"We emphasize that the sacrifice should only be performed in these designated places. Buying a ram and performing the rituals in playgrounds or yards is not permitted. There are specific locations, farms, and slaughterhouses prepared for this purpose where the rite can be safely conducted," Abbyasov added.
Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, is celebrated on the tenth day of the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar, marking the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The celebration traditionally begins with sermons and festive prayers, culminating in the sacrifice of animals.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Khusen Rustamov\Pixabay
Based on materials from TASS