Today Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Hajj – the pilgrimage to the holy sites of Islam. The heart of the festival in Moscow is the reconstructed Moscow mosque on Prospekt Mira. Almost a year has passed since its reconstruction, but the building in the Byzantine style continues to amaze with its magnificence.
The turquoise color generously used in the design is a reference to the decor of the first mosque in Moscow. About 12 kg of gold leaf were used to cover the mosque. The two main minarets are the highest in Russia. Their special shape symbolizes the union of the peoples living in our territory.
After ablution in the earliest morning sun, Muslims dressed in festive clothes arrived at the Cathedral Mosque to perform the morning prayer. Thousands of believers in unison gave praise to God.
The head of the Russian Muftis Council, mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, congratulated all his co-religionists: "We hope that today's celebration will unite us, representatives of different monotheistic religions, as in the history of our religions the forefather Abraham is the most revered prophet, a messenger of God."
The culmination of the festival is a ceremony of offering sacrifices. It can be a lamb or a cow, or other livestock animal. The animal must be free from any physical defects. According to tradition, a Muslim can keep one-third of the meat for himself. Other parts should be given to the needy. "God gave humanity a lamb, pointing out that nobody is allowed to sacrifice people's lives, even if there are motives and political purposes. It is a grave sin that leads to hell, if a person does not understand what Allah means. Our festival aims to clarify this to all of mankind," Gaynutdin explained.
After the morning prayer the believers rushed home to continue the celebration with their families. These days It is a tradition to give gifts to loved ones, visit relatives and commemorate the dead.
