25 July 2014, 06:25
Chechen authorities afford three days to celebrate 'Id al-Fitr (Uraza Bayram)
The celebration of the end of the fasting month of Ramadan – 'Id al-Fitr – will last for three days in Chechnya, from July 28 to July 30. These days will be days-off.
The 'Id al-Fitr holiday concludes the month of Ramadan (Ramazan), when Muslims keep a strict fasting – they do not eat and drink from dawn to dusk. On these days wealthy Muslims are expected to help the poor and needy ones. It is a custom to cover tables with holiday meals, receive guests and relatives and to make return visits.
The night before the holiday, Muslims are obliged to give out alms – Zakat al-Fitr, the value of which is set up by theologians. Zakat can be executed by giving out a certain amount of rice, grain or corn to the poor and needy. However, the rite can be observed also by distributing equivalents in cash. For example, last year the clergy of Chechnya fixed Zakat al-Fitr in the amount of 20 roubles per family member. A year earlier, it amounted to 30 roubles per person.
In connection with the celebration of 'Id al-Fitr, these days were announced to be days-off by the authorities of Ingushetia, Adygea, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia.
Author: Muslim Ibragimov Source: CK correspondent
