The congratulation address reads:
"This beautiful holiday of self-purification and betterment is celebrated in the context of spiritual revival of millions of traditional Moslems in our country. On these sacred days, Moslems visit their friends and relatives, help the disadvantaged, and remember the deceased. These remarkable century-old traditions are part and parcel of tremendous spiritual and cultural treasure this country and our multi-ethnical nation are rightfully proud of.
"Russian Moslems have always been good neighbors, tolerant toward other faiths, peace-loving, and always good to have around when in trouble. Traditional Moslems have made a significant contribution to the strengthening of peace, civil understanding, and cooperation between religions in this country. It is especially important today, now that the state and society have to face difficult and numerous challenges of ethnic and religious extremism."
Since the early hours of the day, all Russian mosques have been holding ceremonial worships and sermons.
In the Grand Mosque of Moscow, Chairman of the Mufti Council of Russia Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin will head the celebration.
"Russia's Moslem organizations are favored by the state, and we are living through a new stage of relationship between the state and Islam. Never in history have Moslem organizations had such many rights and opportunities as they have today," Gainutdin said.
