TAJIKISTAN,
October 27 (IslamOnline.net) - Like all their brotherly Muslim peoples
around the globe, more than five million Muslims in Tajikistan celebrate
the holy month of Ramadan. They strongly demonstrate their cultural and
religious traditions and activities, represented in establishing new
mosques and decorating already existing ones.
Tajikistan’s
population amounts to six millions, 90% of which are Muslims. Tajik
Muslims are the most abiding by religion and preserving Islamic identity
and duties among Central Asia peoples.
The
fasting holy month witnesses unprecedented movement and awareness at all
levels of Tajik life starting with governmental agencies up to the
family and individuals.
At
the governmental level, activities in the institutions concerned with
foodstuff and marketing affairs mount as well as in agencies in charge
of media and culture affairs.
Mosques,
Cultural Role In Ramadan
Mosques
play an important cultural role in the life of Tajik Muslims along the
year, particularly in Ramadan. There are some 300 mosques in Tajikistan,
according to the statistics of Religious Affairs Department.
“Mosques
play an important preaching role, particularly in Ramadan. Hence, we
have made preparations through mosque innovation, expansion, cleaning
and renewal before the advent of Ramadan,” Sheikh Mohamed Nour Ali Zad
said.
With
the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, numbers of those performing
prayers increases.
“I
feel happy when I see mosques full of Muslims. We do not see such
numbers in other months. Strangely enough, some people do not give up
prohibited matters such as alcohol,” said a Tajik Islamic institute
student.
Media,
Cultural Jihad Events
As
for the media and cultural activities practiced by governmental or
non-governmental institutions, an official of the Ministry of Religious
Affairs said, “We have prepared a Ramadan calendar for all Tajik
cities, showing times of starting and breaking fast and of the five
prayers.”
Ramadan
is characterized with getting people together on one table at the same
time to have their breakfast.
Mosques
in Tajikistan are the main places where collective breakfast banquets
are organized. Such banquets are not only for the needy or travelers but
for inhabitants of a neighborhood to have their breakfast together as
well.
They
bring breakfast meals from their homes and eat together to fulfill the
Islamic principle that urge Muslims to break their fasting together.
Sometimes,
a house owner has a place for performing Tarawih prayers, following
which cultural and religious activities and forums are held in some Sufi
circles.
