This year, the holy month of Ramadan in Tajikistan will last 29 days, and Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on March 20, according to the Committee on Religion, Regulation of Traditions, Celebrations, and Ceremonies under the Government of Tajikistan
The decision was reportedly adopted by the Council of Ulema (Shuroi Ulamo — Tajikistan’s highest Islamic institution) during a meeting held on March 17.
According to the Council, Eid al-Fitr prayers will begin at 7:30 a.m. in all mosques across the country. The day has been declared a public holiday.
Imam-khatibs have been instructed to emphasize charity, support for those in need, and the importance of avoiding excessive spending during holiday sermons.
They are also tasked with conveying the official congratulatory message of the Council of Ulema to the public.
In recent years, Ramadan in Tajikistan has consistently been observed as a 29-day month, including in 2025.
Charitable contributions set for 2026
According to the Council of Ulema, the amounts for Sadaqa al-Fitr and Fidyah have decreased compared to last year, while the nisab threshold for Zakat has increased.
· Sadaqa al-Fitr (also known as Zakat al-Fitr) is charity given to the poor at the end of the fasting in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The Arabic word Fitr means the same as iftar, breaking a fast, and it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast. Sadaqa al-Fitr is a duty which is wajib (required) of every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so. This amount is reportedly based on an average price for two kilograms of wheat. This year, each Muslim must pay 7.00 somoni as sadaqa al-fitr, which is 1.00 somoni less than in 2025 (8.00 somoni).
· Fidyah or fidya is religious donation made in Islam when a religious obligation (such as fast for Ramadan) has been missed or broken. Fidyah serves as compensation for when a Muslim was unable to fulfill the obligation for reasons beyond their control. This year, for those unable to fast for valid reasons, the fidya for 30 days is 420.00 somoni (14 somoni per day), which is 60.00 somoni less compared to 2025 (480.00 somoni for 30 days).
· Zakat is a form of alms-giving treated in Islam as a religious obligation or tax,] which, by Quranic ranking, is next after prayer (salat) in importance. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, zakat is a religious obligation for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria of wealth. It is a mandatory charitable contribution, often considered to be a tax. Zakat is based on income and the value of all of one's possessions. It is customarily 2.5% (or 1/40) of a Muslim's total savings and wealth above a minimum amount known as nisab, but Islamic scholars differ on how much nisab is and other aspects of zakat. According to Islamic doctrine, the collected amount should be paid to the poor, the needy. Today, in most Muslim-majority countries, zakat contributions are voluntary, while in a handful (Libya, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen), zakat is mandated and collected by the state. This year, those with savings of 64,000 somoni or more must pay zakat of 1,600.00 somoni. Last year, the savings threshold was 36,900 somoni, and the zakat was 880.00 somoni. Thus, zakat has nearly doubled this year.
Call to support those in need
In its message, the Council of Ulema emphasized the importance of helping those in need and cited a traditional greeting of the Prophet’s companions: “Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum” (“May Allah accept from us and from you”).
It also noted that one of the Sunnah practices is to delay the Eid prayer slightly to allow time for sadaqa al-fitr reach the poor.
On the day of Eid, people traditionally prepare festive meals and visit one another to exchange greetings.
However, since 2024, the tradition of “idgardak” has been officially prohibited during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in Tajikistan.
The law banning “alien garments” and “idgardak” (children's celebrations for two major Islamic holidays — Eid al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha) was signed by President Emomali Rahmon on June 20, 2024.
Eid al-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 al-Fitr is one of the major religious holidays that followers of Islam have been observing for centuries. By closing the holy month of Ramadan, it carries a deep moral meaning, encapsulates the joy of renewal, commitment to self-improvement, readiness to do good and help the needy.
Eid al-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 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.
ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЕ Photo: Dushanbe police
