DUSHANBE, December 2, 2008, — Chairman of the Shuroi Ulamo (Council of Ulema or scholars) Amunullo Nematzoda has called on imam-khatibs (preachers) of mosques to launch campaign against rise in prices of basic food products on local markets.
According to the Council of Ulema, this issue was discussed at the council’s meeting dedicated to the upcoming Eid al-Adha or Idi Qurboon (Festival of Sacrifice). Speaking at the meeting, the grand mufti expressed regret over the established usage of rise in food products ahead of holidays and recommended clerics to use Friday prayer ahead of Idi Qurbon for calling on market vendors to prevent further price rising, the source said.
This year, Idi Qurbon is marked on December 8 and festive prayers will start at all cathedral mosques at 9:00 a.m.
Eid ul-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide in commemoration of the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. The devil tempted Ibrahim by saying he should disobey Allah and spare his son. As Ibrahim was about to kill his son, Allah intervened: instead Allah provided a lamb as the sacrifice. That is why Muslims who have the means to, sacrifice an animal, as a reminder of Ibrahim”s obedience to Allah on this day. The meat is then shared out with family and friends, as well as the poorer members of the community.
Eid ul-Adha is one of two festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Koran. Like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon.
Eid ul-Adha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar. Eid ul-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.
