Timur Utsoyev, Grozny. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
Yesterday, the Islamic world stepped into a new year, 1434, according to Hadjira. Traditionally this day is marked by sermons about Muhammad’s moving from Mecca to Medina in 622 – it is a starting point of the Muslim moon calendar. Muharram is the first month of the Muslim calendar. Muharram is one of four months in which Allah especially strictly forbade conflicts, blood revenge, wars, and fights.
Grozny celebrated Hadjira New Year too. Religious activists of Chechnya prepared for the holiday in advance. The contest for the best sermon was held among students of Kunt-Hadji Russian Islamic University. The deputy mufti of Chechnya Magomed Khiytanayev told Vestnik Kavkaza that the best competitors would fulfill an honorable mission: “The student whose sermon will be the most interesting and thoughtful will present it on Friday at Akhmat Kadyrov central mosque “Chechnya’s Heart” in Grozny. This decision was made by spiritual officials. Friday sermons are broadcasted by the local satellite channel “Grozny” which is watched in different countries of the world.”
Yesterday religious ceremonies were held in the central mosque after the midday prayer. The blind and partially sighted residents of Chechnya were invited into the ceremony. Despite their ailment, they chanted the praises of Allah and His Prophet, which means their strong spirit and optimism.
The religious ceremony was continued by reading of Koran by blind Muslims of Chechnya. Every visitor of the mosque got fantastic impressions from listening to the blind’s reading Koran. Nobody stayed indifferent to the invited guests who demonstrated perfect knowledge of Koran.
On November 24 Grozny will welcome the contest on right reading Koran among blind Muslims. According to Hiytanayev, the contest will cause positive emotions of participants and will be a nice holiday arrangement.
