Kurman Ait
Description:
Kurman Ait on Lenin Square in Bishkek
"Kurman Ait" - "Kurban Bayram", or "Eid al-Adha" (Arabic), is the largest Muslim holiday. It is celebrated from the 10th to the 13th of the month of Dhul Hijjah in the Muslim calendar. Kurman Ait completes the Hajj rite – a pilgrimage to the shrines of Islam – to Mecca (Saudi Arabia).
In Kyrgyzstan, Kurman Ait is an official state holiday.
The main ritual of the day is the slaughter of a sacrificial animal for the sake of God. The tradition of sacrifice, as an act of worship of the One God, has its roots in the distant past. The sacred history of Islam highlights the Prophet Ibrahim, who, as theologians note, became an example for future generations of believers. And one of the significant events of his life marked the beginning of a centuries-old religious tradition - the ritual of sacrifice for the sake of the One God.
The meat of the sacrificial animal is divided into three parts: one is distributed to the poor, the second part is prepared for relatives, neighbors, friends, and the third Muslim can keep for himself. Thus, the sacrifice not only contributes to the spiritual purification of the donor, but also provides for a while the subsistence of the poor part of the Muslim community.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the one who gives thanks to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
“Kurman Ait” as well as “Orozo Ait” is widely celebrated in all mosques and on the Old Square in Bishkek. Every year the number of participants in the square in the festive prayer increases and according to preliminary estimates is more than 100 thousand.
