This Ramadan in Russia began by honoring the victims of the Beslan tragedy that took place in early September.
On the eve of Ramadan, Ravil Gainutdin, head of the Russian Mufti Council, promised at a press conference that Russian Moslems would pray during that Holy Month that there would never be a repetition of the events in Beslan. They will also pray for peace in the Middle East and Iraq. The last Friday of Ramadan will be marked as a day of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
However, despite the concern for their coreligionists in different hot spots in the world, Russian Moslems, and above all the Moslem leadership, are worried about the situation in Russia. The task facing every leader of the country's Moslem communities is how to prevent the spread of extremist sentiments among believers.
"Law-enforcers will deal with terrorists, and we will deal with Moslems to ensure they obey the law of the Almighty and the state, and to maintain true patriotism in them," Mr. Gainutdin said in assessing the Mufti Council's contribution to the fight against terrorism.
His sermon addressing the people in the Moscow Mosque on the eve of Ramadan is traditionally devoted to Moslems being tolerant and living in peace with their neighbors - representatives of other ethnic groups and religions. The Mufti always begins his speech in Arabic, and then proceeds to Tatar, as the Tatars have made up the majority of Moscow Moslems since the 15th century. The Tatar community is still one of the biggest, but today they account for about 38% of Moscow's Moslems. Therefore, Moscow Muftis read most of the sermon in Russian, which is a common language for Tatars, Chechens, Ingushs and representatives of other ethnic groups practicing Islam in Russia.
Considering the multi-ethnic nature of Russia's Moslem community, which is particularly conspicuous in big cities, the ideas of tolerance and accord promoted during Ramadan are essential not only for relationships between communities but also inside them. Debates and disagreements between political rivals should end too. On the eve of Ramadan, many Russian Internet sites devoted to Islamic issues and the life of Moslems published appeals urging readers to call off political attacks. For example, the editorial board of Ingushetiya.ru has decided to refrain from negative publications about any political forces during Ramadan.
Ingush residents will not only have to abstain from political attacks on their rivals. The republic's president, Murat Zyazikov, issued a decree banning retail sales and the consumption of alcoholic beverages, including beer, and smoking in public places for the duration of Ramadan.
Local authorities in other Russian regions have also prepared for Ramadan. A tradition has become established in Russia in the last few years that new mosques, madrasahs and other institutions helping Moslems in their everyday life are opened during Ramadan.
For example, a shop of fashionable female clothes As-salam has been opened in Kazan, the Tatar capital. It is for women who dress in accordance with Moslem traditions. Zulfia Maksutova, one of the shop's founders, says that the demand for such clothes is increasing with every passing day.
In the Penza region, a new mosque was opened on the eve of Ramadan, eight years after construction began. Interestingly, the region's Spiritual Department of Moslems is one of the most active in Russia's provinces. It has established a tradition of holding collective evening meals (iftar) that draw together leading and ordinary members of the community and representatives of other faiths. During the meal, the conversation usually focuses on the history of Ramadan and its traditions, while religious literature is also handed out.
Ramadan does not forget those Moslems who have gone astray. A prison in the western Siberian city of Surgut opened a prayer room on the eve of the Holy Month. Its construction was launched at the request of 300 Islamic prisoners.
The spiritual Moslem department of Nizhny Novgorod and the Nizhny Novgorod region also looks after local Moslems. It has produced convenient packs of dates and raisins that are available in shops affiliated to Nizhny Novgorod's mosques at low prices.
In Moscow, children were the most thrilled about the advent of Ramadan. Children in the first Moscow Tatar nursery school, which opened this year, have made souvenirs with Allah inscribed on them "to maintain the parents' spirits" while they fasted.
Before the Holy Month began, nursery teachers spent hours explaining the difference between Ramadan and other months to the children. Explanations, however, would be useful for others, too. In Soviet times, when religious rituals were not observed for fear of being punished, many families gave up Islam. This was particularly obvious in big cities. Although links with the past have not been broken completely, many traditions have been lost. Therefore, every mosque, and the Moslem community's printed and Internet media are conducting educative work. The situation is gradually changing. Today Russia's Moslems are looking forward to this Holy Month and pleasant surprises it has in store for them. Mosques cannot accommodate all those who want to listen to the opening sermon, but the lack of space does not spoil anything for the believers. The main thing is that their prayers for peace and prosperity are answered.
