Tajik Muslims mark Night of Decree
DUSHANBE, October 9, Asia-Plus — On the night of October 8-9, Muslims in Tajikistan marked Laylat al-Qadr, which falls during the last third, commemorates the revelation of the first verses of the Koran and is considered the most holy night of the year.
Laylat al-Qadr literally the “Night of Decree or Night of Measures”, is the anniversary of two very important dates in Islam that occurred in the month of Ramadan. Muslims believe that it was the night of the Laylat al-Qadr that the Koran’s first verse was revealed. The exact night of the Laylat al-Qadr is unknown. The Prophet Muhammad indicated that it was one of the last ten odd nights of Ramadan.
Ramadan is an Islamic religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when the Koran was revealed. The name “Ramadan” is taken from the name of this month; the word itself derived from an Arabic word for intense heat, scorched ground, and shortness of rations. It is considered the most venerated and blessed month of the Islamic year. Prayers, sawn (fasting), charity, and self-accountability are especially stressed at this time; religious observances associated with Ramadan are kept throughout the month. Ramadan ends with the holiday Eid ul-Fitr,.
The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, after another new moon has been sighted. Eid ul-Fitr means the Festival of Breaking the Fast, a special celebration is made. Food is donated to the poor (‘Zakat al-Fitr’), everyone put on their best, preferably new, clothes, and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends.
