Today Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Adha, one of the two most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. In addition to Russia, it is celebrated in Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and many other countries.
In Russia Eid al-Adha will be celebrated for three days, on September 24-26. In Azerbaijan, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on September 24-25.
The festival of the sacrifice, Eid al-Adha, is marked on the 10th day of the Zul Hijjah month and is related to the pilgrimage to Mecca. It honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail, as an act of submission to God's command. This act showed his true piety, and Allah sent Ibrahim two black bulls to sacrifice instead of his son. So during Eid al-Adha Muslims sacrifice an animal and gift meat to the poor.
Celebrations are being held in five mosques in Moscow, as well as at three special sites located in Sokolniki Park, Yuzhnoye Butovo District and the Nagatinsky Zaton District, RIA Novosti reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Muslims on the occasion of Eid el-Adha.
"This holiday that celebrates the end of Hajj – the pilgrimage of Muslims to ancient holy places – brings people closer, involves them in the centuries-old religious, spiritual and historical traditions of their predecessors... I'm sure that Russian Muslims will be able to continue participating in the country’s life in full measure, facilitate the development of inter-national and inter-religious dialogue, strengthening of peace and accord in society," the Kremlin press service cited him as saying.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also congratulated the people of the country.
"Dear compatriots, I heartily congratulate you on the occasion of the sacred Eid al-Adha, the symbol of spiritual unity and solidarity of Muslims of the world, and send my best wishes," APA cited him as saying.
The President recalled that every year Eid al-Adha is celebrated in the Republic of Azerbaijan, where democratic principles, freedom of worship and conscience were established, at the state level as national holiday, "people are praying for our country to be blessed with prosperity and progress and remembering the undying memory of our martyrs." According to Ilham Aliyev, people taste the sweetness of being closer to God and adherence to spiritual values, displaying high level of readiness for good deeds.
"Dear brothers and sisters! I express once again my sincere congratulations to you and all our compatriots living outside the country and wish happiness and abundance to your families," the president concluded.
The presidential envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District, Sergey Melikov, addressed Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. "I warmly congratulate the Muslims of the North Caucasus on the occasion of Eid al-Adha! This bright holiday, which marks the culmination of the pilgrimage to Islamic holy sites, carries a profound moral content, recalling the eternal values of charity and piety, commitment to goodness and justice, careful attention to one's neighbors," he said.
The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, expressed his congratulations and noted that this holiday has a special meaning for residents of Chechnya, who not only pray, but also do good deeds. He reminded that the Regional Public Fund named after the first President of the Chechen Republic, Akhmat-Hadji Kadyrov, every year makes it possible for needy people to celebrate Eid al-Adha adequately.
The head of Ingushetia, Yunus-bek Yevkurov, congratulated the Muslims of the republic. "Dear brothers and sisters! These days the residents of Ingushetia, as well as millions of Muslims in Russia and around the world, are celebrating one of the major holidays of Islam, Eid al-Adha, I cordially congratulate you on this sacred holiday, which personifies compassion, kindness and love for people! Today's celebration marks the end of the Hajj, the pilgrimage to the holy Mecca and its surroundings, it is an integral part of the rich spiritual heritage of our multinational people," he said.
The head of Dagestan, Ramazan Abdulatipov, congratulated the residents of Dagestan. "During these holy days of the end of the great pilgrimage to Mecca, the hearts of Muslims are filled with joy and gratitude to God for his infinite mercy and compassion. I am convinced that the unique humanitarian and cultural potential, accumulated in Islam and other traditional religions in Dagestan, will multiply the spiritual wealth of our people, strengthen interethnic and interfaith relations, peace and stability in the country," he said.
The head of Karachay-Cherkessia, Rashid Temrezov, addressed the residents of republic on the occasion of the holiday. "Dear Muslims of Karachay-Cherkessia, dear citizens of the republic, I heartily congratulate you on the great feast of the sacrifice Eid al-Adha! Islam teaches us to preserve and develop spiritual values, to maintain the bonds of brotherhood with people of different faiths, nationalities and beliefs," the official website of the government cited him as saying.
The head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Yury Kokov, also congratulated the Muslims of the region. "On behalf of the Parliament and the Government of the Republic I cordially congratulate the Muslims of Kabardino-Balkaria on the bright holiday of Eid al-Adha. I am sure that these spiritual and moral values of Islam will continue to promote inter-religious dialogue and cooperation, confidence-building and reconciliation among peoples and nations," the head of the republic noted.
"I wish all Muslims and residents of Kabardino-Balkaria health, happiness and well-being," he concluded.
The Governor of Stavropol Territory, Vladimir Vladimirov, also expressed his congratulations to Muslims. "Dear compatriots, I heartily congratulate all the Muslims of Stavropol Territory on the occasion of Eid al-Adha! In these days the pilgrimage to the holy places of Islam, which strengthens the belief in goodness, justice and compassion, has been completed," the official website of the Governor cited Vladimirov as saying.
"Let the feast of Eid al-Adha help to strengthen the well-being and peace in our land! I sincerely wish all Muslims of the region good health and happiness!" the governor said.
