Southern Russia Muslims start Ramadan fasting

Starting from Sunday, in most parts of southern Russia, Muslims began the fasting of Ramadan, which is to last 30 days.

On June 29, the fasting of Ramadan was started by most Muslims of the southern regions of Russia, including Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Chechnya, and other regions.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has been informed by a representative of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of the republic, in the month of Ramadan, during daylight, Muslims abstain from food and water, perform acts of charity and devote their time to prayer and reading the Koran.

"To observe the fasting during Ramadan is a duty of every adult Muslim. Those Muslims, who have a valid reason not to fast and who will not be able to compensate the missed days of fasting in the future, are to make fidya-sadaka a redemption alms. And leaders of religious communities direct it to help the poor," the representative of the SAM has said.

Local residents have noted that in recent years, Chechnya usually marks the beginning and the end of Ramadan one day later than the Islamic world. According to many believers, this fact has a negative impact on people's attitude towards religion.

Askhab K., a resident of the republic, associates the above fact with political reasons and the mullahs' desire to please the leaders of the republic.

It should be noted that with the beginning of the month of Ramadan, a number of republics introduce some restrictions. In Chechnya, sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited during Ramadan, and cafes and restaurants are open in the evenings only.