DUSHANBE, July 16, 2015, Asia-Plus — Emomali Rahmon has congratulated Tajikistanis on the Idi Ramazon of Eid ul-Fitr holiday.
In his televised message, President Rahmon, in particular, called on people to provide assistance to vulnerable people, orphaned children and elderly people.
The president also wished well-being and success to the Tajik people, according to the Tajik president’s official website.
“Muslims of our sovereign country must take efforts to strengthen peace and stability in society and national accord,” the president said.
“Under the current uneasy conditions, our fellow countrymen, first of all youth, should be able to tell truth from lie, be vigilant and reasonable, choose the right way, improve their education, refrain from harmful actions and make their contribution to the national prosperity,” Rahmon noted.
This year, Tajikistan will celebrate Idi Ramazon on July 17.
Eid ul-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fitr means “to purify”; and so the holiday symbolizes the purification after completing the fasting month, which is after the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal.
Eid ul-Fitr lasts for one day of celebrations and is sometimes also known as the “Smaller Eid”: as compared to the Eid al-Adha that lasts three days following the Hajj and is casually referred to as the “Greater Eid.”
On this day, Muslims attend the special Eid prayer (salah). An obligatory charity is paid to the poor and the needy before performing the ‘Eid prayer by all those adult Muslims who are required to pay Zakat. Eid prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, squares etc or at mosques.
After the prayers, people visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances. Gifts are frequently given; it is common for children to be given small sums of money by adult relatives or friends. It is also common for children to salam parents and adult relatives; they usually get sweeties or money from the adult relatives or friends.
