Dagestanis treat March 8 celebrations differently

Like throughout Russia, March 8 was announced a day-off in Dagestan; however, people treat this holiday differently: some celebrate it, others believe it is a routine day.

"March 8 is an ordinary day for Muslims – there's no need to have special men's and women's days. A man must be a man throughout his life, and same with a woman," Magomedrasul Omarov, the press secretary of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM), told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The famous poet and social activist Adallo says that for him March 8 is no different from other days.

"The holiday has the name of the International Women's Day; and today, in accordance with generally accepted secular standards, a man should be a gentleman for his wife, sister, mother, and other members of the fairer sex. However, if we are normal people, we should respect them always and everywhere. This approach is practiced in Islam," said the poet.

A resident of the village of the Karata from the Akhvakh District, who requested anonymity, said that in his village almost no one celebrates this holiday.

In his turn, Omar Murtazaliev, a retired major-general, now – the leader of the TV unit of local lore-trackers of Dagestan, – believes that March 8 should be surely celebrated.

"In my family we always congratulate each other on this holiday. Our children have already sent flowers to my wife. I also called all female relatives and acquaintances and congratulated them. They're our supporters, I want to apologize to each Dagestani woman that we men can't ensure a quiet life for them," said the retired major-general.

In the Chechen Republic, also not all the residents celebrate March 8. Some of them think that the International Women's Day is a relic of the communist past; while believers call this holiday "a pagan rite".