DUSHANBE, November 4, 2011, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon has congratulated Tajikistanis on the Idi Qurbon holiday.
In his message of congratulations, the Tajik head of state, in particular, called on people to provide assistance to vulnerable people, orphaned children and elderly people. He also pointed to the necessity of paying proper attention to the upbringing of the rising generation and noted that parents, clerics and society as whole must take an active part in that process.
President Rahmon wished health, happiness, wellbeing and peace to Tajikistanis. He expressed hope that God will hear prayers of Muslims of the country and those performing the Hajj and will answer their prayers.
This year, Tajikistan marks Idi Qurbon, or Eid al-Adha in Arabic, on November 6.
The festive prayer will start across the country at 7:45 am. In Dushanbe, the festive prayer will be held at the city central mosque.
Eid al-Adha, “Festival of Sacrifice” or “Greater Eid,” is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God, but instead was able to sacrifice a ram (by God”s command). Eid is also about spending time with family and friends, sacrifice, and thanksgiving for being able to afford food and housing. In traditional or agrarian settings, each family would sacrifice a domestic animal, such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, by slaughter (though some contemporary Muslims do not sacrifice an animal as part of their observance, it is still a very popular tradition, even in Muslim communities in Europe). The meat would then be divided into three equal parts to be distributed to others. The family eats one third, another third is given to other relatives, friends or neighbors, and the other third is given to the poor as a gift.
Eid al-Adha is the latter of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims. Like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon (khutbah).
