Muslims were told about the need to fast during Ramadan

In 2024, Ramadan begins at sunset on Sunday 10 March and ends on Wednesday 10 April. Depending on the mood of a Muslim, fasting can be like a month of fasting for him, or maybe like a festival for the soul. During a video conference at RIA Novosti, experts recalled the importance of fasting and the rules of behavior during the holy month, including in the zone of a special military operation

– We look forward to the blessed month of Ramadan with trepidation and hope that it will be celebrated in Russia with dignity. The first prayers will be held in mosques on Sunday evening, and on Monday morning we will begin to fast, says First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia Rushan Abbyasov. – Every year it becomes easier to observe fasting in Russia, since its dates are gradually approaching winter, and the daylight hours are becoming shorter. It is very important to encourage Muslims to fast from an early age. For example, I myself have been consciously fasting since I was 12 years old, since 1993, when I went to study in Qatar.

Fasting should be mandatory for adult Muslims, reminds Rushan Abbyasov. The exception is sick people or travelers, who, however, will be able to make up for lost time later. Chronically ill Muslims can compensate for failure to fast by giving alms.

This year, as before, the communities have planned many educational, charitable, and cultural events. Since 2024 has been declared the Year of the Family, Muslim communities intend to pay attention to this topic. During Ramadan, spiritual leaders will actively make calls to create and preserve families and give birth to as many children as possible.

“We will not ignore the participants in the special military operation and members of their families,” says Ildar Alyautdinov, deputy chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia. – They will receive food packages and attend various programs. Our imams constantly visit military personnel with humanitarian supplies, which are collected in mosques. We constantly pray and will continue to pray for the guys who are participating in a special military operation. They need support more than anyone else right now.

The military personnel themselves can also fast. During Ramadan, political officers of units will, if possible, allow Muslims to go to prayers and Friday prayers, reports Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Donetsk People’s Republic Rashid Bragin.

Is it possible and necessary for military personnel to fast if they are wounded or in the hospital? Experts are unanimous: it is possible, if it does not worsen their health. The same, however, applies to healthy warriors fighting on the front line. “Everyone decides for himself whether he is ready to fast during the holy month or whether it is better to postpone it,” says Rushan Abbyasov. – These people are not at the resort. It happens that military personnel do not sleep at night and participate in heavy battles. The Almighty sees the situation of these people.”

Another issue that was discussed by the participants in the video bridge was the statements of individuals about the oppression of Muslims in Crimea.

– Some residents of other countries say that the rights of our Muslim brothers are being infringed on the peninsula. We are trying to explain that there is no infringement or oppression of fellow believers, we show new mosques and those under construction, but they don’t listen to us – or don’t want to hear us,” Esadullah Bairov, deputy chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Crimea, shares his sore point.

Rustam Sabirov, an employee of the press service of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia, who is now in Mecca, says that pilgrims from other countries treat Russians very well and thank President Putin for supporting Palestine and the Muslim world: in general: “I don’t remember when I I shook hands a lot, hugged, took pictures, heard so many kind words addressed to our country.”

Is it possible to go to the polls during the holy month? Ramadan in no way interferes with the expression of civil will, say those gathered. On the contrary, devout Muslims have more time, since they do not need to eat during the day.

“We call on our fellow believers who care about the future of the country to fulfill their civic duty from March 15 to 17 and make the right choice,” says Rushan Abbyasov. – If you want, come to the polling station, if you want, vote electronically.

“We always emphasize that Muslims are patriots of their country, and participation in elections is the duty of every citizen,” supports his colleague Ildar Alyautdinov. – So Muslims will need to fulfill two duties: fast and vote.