Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

The Caucasus Muslims Office issued a fatwa in connection with the beginning of the blessed Ramadan Month.

The fatwa was announced at the meeting of qadis and the Scientific and Religious Council of Caucasian Muslims Office on June 4.

This year, the first day of the holy month falls on June 18 and the night of intention on June 17, in accordance with the fatwa. The festive namaz will be performed on July 18.

The sultan of eleven months, as people also call Ramadan month, makes people close to each other, it brings them together around one table and teaches them love for God, love for life as presented by God to each being and to share both material and moral wealth.

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims spend the daylight hours in a complete fast and abstain from food, drinks and other needs. Used as a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking; it is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God and self-control. Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in the light of Islamic guidance.

Every Muslim family in Azerbaijan, as part of the 1.5 billion-Islamic-world, celebrates this sacred holiday covering their table with dishes of the national cuisine.

Azerbaijan, a predominantly Muslim country, has celebrated Ramadan officially since 1993, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijani Muslims did not stop fasting even during the Soviet period when all religious holidays were banned.

The people who fast during the month of Ramadan feel happy, blessed and morally appeased. Muslims fast with great propensity for thirty days and thus they test their patience and ability to overcome temptations.

One of the main features of the holy month of Ramadan is that after this month Muslims of the world visit the holy sites. Visiting holy places is one of the great wishes of each Muslim.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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