Muslims in Azerbaijan make festive prayer in honour of end of Ramadan

Festive prayers (namaz) were held in the mosques of Azerbaijan in connection with the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Some Muslims of the country completed their fasting on July 17.

The festive prayer in the Central Mosque Taza Pir in Baku was attended by about 500 people, the regional Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of the Caucasus told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. The mosque could not house all the believers; some of them had to stay in the yard.

The festive namaz held in the mosque "Fatmei-Zakhra", located in the residential district of Baku named Guneshli, attracted even more parishioners – more than a thousand Muslims.

By tradition, Muslims were spreading their Zakat among needy people. The sum of the donation is defined by the number of family members; and its amount is equivalent to the market cost of three kilograms of dates or wheat. This year, under recommendation of the SAM, the minimum Zakat is 5-10 manats (4.75-9.5 US dollars) per each family member.

This year, on the occasion of the end of Ramadan, residents of Azerbaijan have four days off. In honour of the holiday, July 17 and 18 were announced days-off; however, since July 18 is Saturday, the day-off was moved to July 20.

Some Azerbaijani Muslims from among the followers of the Sunni Islam made their festive namaz on July 17, the local SAM has noted.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.