01 December 2011, 17:00
Chechnya prepares for large scale celebration of Muslim Ashura Day
On December 5, Chechen Muslims will celebrate one of the main Islam holidays – the Ashura Day. To organize the festivities, a special commission, headed by Magomed Daudov, First Deputy Prime Minister, was created.
On this day, mosques in Chechnya will perform various religious rites, and poor people will receive monetary assistance.
On the Ashura Day, Muslims give alms, it is believed that Allah will repeatedly reward the grain of charity on this day. Besides, during the three days (on the eve, on the Ashura Day and after the day), fasting is considered to be desirable.
"Fasting on the Ashura Day purifies a Muslim from the sins of the previous and subsequent years, so every believer should hold it, if he wants to earn Allah's mercy and forgiveness," said a clergyman from the Muftiate.
The Month of Muharram is one of the esteemed months, sacred to Muslims. The tenth day of this month is called the Ashura Day, which in Arabic means 'ten'. According to Islam, Apocalypse is to occur on the Ashura Day.
Author: Muslim Ibragimov Source: CK correspondent
