Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijan, with a predominantly Muslim population, will mark Qurban Holiday on October 25-26. Caucasus Muslims Office has passed a decision (fetwa) on the celebration of the Islamic holiday, the CMO's press-service said on Monday.

Qurban Holiday (Festival of Sacrifice) is one of the oldest holidays, which is celebrated in all Muslim countries. October 25 is the holiday eve, while October 26 is celebrated as Qurban Holiday.

In connection with the upcoming holiday, the CMO, Azerbaijan's senior clerical body, has extended its congratulations to the Azerbaijani people and Muslims around the world, asking the Almighty Allah for his mercy and forgiveness for everyone.

The Holiday namaz (prayers) will be held in Ajdar Bey and Taza Pir mosques in the capital Baku.

Sharia laws, the moral code and religious law of Islam, envision sacrificial offerings of prime importance for Hajji staying in Mecca. Sacrificial offering is preferable, but not obligatory for wealthy people who do not hail from the holy city.

Hajji is an honorific title given to a Muslim person who has successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca.

Sacrificial meat distribution to poor and helpless people is a God pleasing act. The sacrificial animal should be healthy and well-fed.

The State Veterinary Service under the Ministry of Agriculture has stepped up work in connection with Qurban Holiday celebrations, veterinary service spokesman Yolchu Hanveli said on Monday.

Special posts on the main roads of Baku will inspect the cattle brought to the city, Hanveli said.

The veterinary service will prevent animal sacrificing and meat sale in places where this is not permitted.

During the holiday wealthy families sacrifice a sheep or another animal, such as a lamb, a chicken, etc., and distribute meat among seven poor families. It symbolizes the compassion towards the poor and also calls on people to help each other.

Governmental and international organizations provide financial and moral support to the handicapped and old people, refugees and children in orphanages during the holy Qurban Holiday.

The religious ritual of sacrificing existed long before Islam. New goals and causes of the ritual emerged in the Islamic world after the second year of the Hijrah (the year when Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina).

Thus, the religious rite of sacrificing strengthened such symbols in Islam as a high spiritual state, religion, patronage and help to others.

The religious rite appeared after the case with Prophet Ibrahim, who dreamed that Allah ordered him to sacrifice his son Ismail to test his faith.

As a true believer, Ibrahim was ready to follow the orders of Allah. Ismail himself was ready to become a victim. However, according to the holy Quran, Allah sent a sheep and it was sacrificed instead.

The main goal of the Qurban Holiday is to become a true believer. Quran says: "Allah needs neither meat nor blood of the animal, only your faith".