Cancellation of Eid al-Fitr mass celebration disappoints residents of Chechnya

The Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Chechnya has called on Muslims to welcome the Eid al-Fitr within their families, although believers had hoped for the ease of restrictions before one of the main Muslim holidays. The collective namazes (prayers) in mosques cancelled by the Muftiate (SAM) are mandatory in Islam, Instagram users have pointed out.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that April 24 was the start of the holy month of Ramadan, which will end with the celebration of the Eid al-Fitr. This year, mosques are closed due to coronavirus. Chechen authorities announced May 23-26 to be days-off, which caused bewilderment among local residents, who indicated the inability to celebrate the holiday traditionally, because of the self-isolation regime.

Salakh Mezhiev, the Mufti of Chechnya, has urged believers to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr within families and announced the cancellation of the mandatory collective id-namaz in mosques, which takes place after the end of the Ramadan fasting.

Readers of the public eldit_net on the Instagram have expressed their surprise at the cancellation of the obligatory id-namaz.

Some commentators have noted that the Eid al-Fitr celebration is burdensome for the family budget; therefore restrictions are beneficial for poor people.

Residents of Chechnya have reported that until the last moment they hoped for the chance to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr in accordance with the tradition.

Earlier, the Muftiates of Kabardino-Balkaria, Rostov Region, Adygea and Krasnodar Territory announced the cancellation of collective namazes during the Eid al-Fitr.