Four days declared off in Chechnya because of Eid al-Fitr

Chechen authorities have announced May 23-26 to be says-off. There will be no collective namaz (prayer) in mosques on Eid al-Fitr, the Muftiate has stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that this year the holy Muslim month of Ramadan began on April 24; it will end with the Eid al-Fitr holiday. This year, mosques are closed due to coronavirus; therefore, amid restrictive measures, residents of Southern Russia pray at home and hold their evening de-fasting ceremonies at home, within their families. Activists of charitable foundations, which are rendering help in the regions of Northern Caucasus and Moscow, have announced that this year there will be no traditional Ramadan tents.

A source from the Chechen Muftiate said that the exact date for the end of Ramadan fasting has not yet been established – presumably, it will be on May 22 or 23.

Under the quarantine, there was no need to declare days-off to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr, local residents believe. "People are already on forced 'days-off' because of the coronavirus quarantine. Everyone already knows that this year there will be no chance to celebrate the holiday as usual, with visits to relatives and friends and performing a collective prayer," said Ibragim, a resident of Grozny.

"Until recently, I hoped that at least people would be released for the Eid al-Fitr, but now there is no such hope," said Musa, another local resident.