Clergymen in Karachay-Cherkessia urge entrepreneurs to limit sale of alcoholic beverages during Ramadan

Representatives of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Karachay-Cherkessia, put forward the initiative to limit sale of alcoholic beverages in the republic during the month of Ramadan. With this aim, they toured dwelling settlements of the republic and visited owners of private shops, asking them to stop selling alcoholic beverages during the Muslim sacred month.

"We visited dwelling settlements of Karachay-Cherkessia and asked the people who run private shops and stalls to stop selling alcoholic beverages during the month of Ramadan. We have visited all districts of the republic.

We are pleased to note that this initiative was supported, and many people stopped selling alcoholic beverages," said Ibragim-Khadji Katchiev, Deputy Chairman of the SAM of the Karachay-Cherkessian Republic (KCR), in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Ansar G., a native of Karachay-Cherkessia, said that he had been respecting the fundamental pillars of Islam during fifteen years already. "I observe the fasting, since I am a Muslim during fifteen years already, fifteen years ago I started praying, fasting. I plan to make the pilgrimage. I wish the celebration of Ramadan in the North Caucasian republics had a large scale, being extensive, such as, for example, in the Muslim countries," Ansar expressed his opinion.

Leila Khubieva, a resident of the city of Cherkessk, says that for her the month of Ramadan is a period for moral and spiritual renovation: "I always look forward to Ramadan impatiently. For me this month is first of all the proof of my faith before God. I observe the fasting for 12 years and do that with great pleasure."

According to Gafar Chikatuev, a resident of the republic, he does not feel the length of daylight hours in summer, heat and thirst during Ramadan.

"God sees the person's intentions, and when a Muslim observes the fasting with a sincere belief in God, then everything goes with ease – a long day seems shorter, and you don't feel heat, thirst or hunger."