Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Muslims around the world including in Azerbaijan with a majority Muslim population are celebrating the Eid Al-Fitr festival on Wednesday July 6 and 7, marking the end of Ramadan, by offering prayers at mosques and wishing happy days each other.
In this connection President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Azerbaijani people.
"I heartily congratulate you on the sacred holiday of Ramadan, and deliver each of you my sincere wishes," the president said in his congratulatory message.
"Blessed Ramadan, when our holy book the Koran was heavensent, is the month strengthening morality, reinforcing a sense of religious and spiritual unity between Muslims, serving the formation of inner perfection of each person. This holiday inspires people to good deeds, encourages them to work together for peace, tranquility and brotherhood on earth,' the president noted.
He emphasized that Azerbaijan, which is recognized as one of the cultural centers of the Islamic world, has always preserved respect for the religious and national-spiritual values with a special sensitivity. The development of mutual respect between different religions and beliefs in our country, which has become today a true example of tolerance, is one of the main directions of the state policy.
The president noted that various national and religious events, including the Ramadan holiday, annually celebrated in Azerbaijan at the state level. At the same time, with satisfaction we can say that the representatives of all religions living in our country treat the holiday of Ramadan, which is a universal event, with great love, and respectfully preserve multicultural traditions of our country.
"Feast of Ramadan, which enhance a sense of unity and humanism, love for God and the motherland, this year is celebrated by our people with great enthusiasm and joy. In these holiday I once again congratulate you and our compatriots living outside the country. I wish each of you prosperity, happiness to your families and prosperity to your home," President Aliyev said.
Eid Al-Fitr in Arabic literally means "festival of breaking the fast". The holiday marking the end of Ramadan is time of gratitude and festivity, when many observe the holiday in their own ways across the globe.
Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer. Fasting is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam. During Ramadan lasting for 30 days, followers of Islam do not eat or drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset to test their patience and ability to overcome temptations. The people who fast feel happy, blessed and morally appeased.
During blessed month Ramadan, Muslims request forgiveness for sins in the past, pray for direction and assistance in abstaining from everyday troubles, and endeavor to cleanse themselves through self-control and great acts of faith.
Ramadan, as people also call “The Sultan of Eleven Months”, is the ninth month of the 12-month Islamic calendar, which is lunar and based on the phases of the moon. The lunar calendar falls short of the solar calendar by 11 days. As a result, Ramadan does not start on the same day each year and instead passes through all the seasons.
The history of fasting in Ramadan starts when the Prophet Muhammad determined the holy month in Medina during the second year of pilgrimage.
The Quran was bestowed upon people as a guide for mankind during the final 10 days of this month.
Muslims refer to this night as the Laylat Al-Qadr, meaning the great and powerful night. The Koran says, “The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Gabriel) by Allah's Permission with all Decrees. Peace! till the rise of Morning (97:1-5).”
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan teaches the faithful to love Allah, to test their will and patience, and to be wiser and more honest.
In Islam, fasting is obligatory for all the faithful with the exception of minors, the elderly and ill, mentally ill, pregnant women and nursing mothers, travelers, and soldiers.
The holy Quran says, "As morning comes and white thread distinguishes from black thread, you may eat and drink and then complete your fast till the night."
Azerbaijan, a predominantly Muslim country, has celebrated Ramadan officially since 1993, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijani Muslims always adhered to sacred rules of Eid Al-Fitr and did not stop fasting even during the Soviet period when all religious holidays were banned.