Screenshot of the post on Instagram of the Fatwa Department of the Muftiate of Dagestan with explanations regarding wishes on the occasion of the New Year https://www.instagram.com/p/CJNjT2PAjAz/

31 December 2020, 22:25

Muftiate of Dagestan let Muslims voice Happy New Year wishes

A Muslim may wish other people a Happy New Year and even Merry Christmas, but with the selection of an appropriate format not to violate Islamic norms, the Fatwa Department of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Dagestan announces.

There are both supporters and opponents of the New Year celebration among residents of the Muslim regions of Northern Caucasus. In 2012, in Dagestan, some residents called it a pagan holiday, which should not be celebrated by Muslims.

This year, Talgat Tadjuddin, the chairman of the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia, called on Muslims to rejoice together with people of other religions.

"We have one God with Christians, we just call Him differently ... The recommendations for believers in the New Year night are as follows: do not drink alcoholic beverages, like on other days of the year, do not rage, and pray for the epidemic to end," emphasized Talgat Tadjuddin as quoted by the RIA "Novosti".

In some cases, it is even recommended to voice Happy New Year wishes to people of other religions, for example, if a person shows interest in Islam, the SAM of Dagestan notes.

Shamil Alyautdinov, Imam of the Moscow's Memorial Mosque, believes that Muslims may not only wish other people a Happy New Year, but also take part in celebrations. "In modern Russia, this is just a secular family holiday not associated with any religion," Shamil Alyautdinov explained in a video posted on the tvumma YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, Kamil Samigullin, Mufti of Tatarstan, believes that Muslims should "prevent the celebration of such holidays" in their families.

Many users of social networks expressed their indignation at the statements voiced by the Imam of the Moscow's Memorial Mosque. "Shamil Alyautdinov is misleading weak Muslims. Please, do not be fooled by his delusion about the New Year," Alik Madjidov called on other users.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 31, 2020 at 07:47 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

All news
НАСТОЯЩИЙ МАТЕРИАЛ (ИНФОРМАЦИЯ) ПРОИЗВЕДЕН И РАСПРОСТРАНЕН ИНОСТРАННЫМ АГЕНТОМ ООО “МЕМО”, ЛИБО КАСАЕТСЯ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ ИНОСТРАННОГО АГЕНТА ООО “МЕМО”.

March 28, 2024 22:19

  • Court extends arrest of blogger Alyona Agafonova

    Alyona Agafonova, a blogger from Samara, accused of desecrating a symbol of military glory because of her video filmed near the monument "The Motherland is Calling!" has been left in custody until June 19.

March 28, 2024 22:13

March 28, 2024 22:03

  • Attack on Crocus City Hall highlights issue of state assistance to victims of terror acts

    In Russia, the status of victims of terror acts should be legislated and state assistance should be guaranteed to them, human rights defenders claim after the terror act at the Crocus City Hall. According to the human rights defenders, the authorities still do not provide full-scale assistance to the victims of the terror act in Beslan and the militant attack on Nalchik.

March 27, 2024 16:51

March 27, 2024 14:49

News archive