Baku: Eid al-Fitr falls on March 20, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office said in his holiday message, APA reports. The announcement marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the celebration for Muslims in Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the congratulatory message notes that, based on information provided to the Caucasus Muslims Board by the Nasreddin Tusi Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory of the Ministry of Science and Education, as well as the Fatwa adopted by the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Administrations of the Organization of Turkic States (Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan), the 1st day of Shawwal – Eid al-Fitr – falls on March 20 in the Gregorian calendar this year.
The message further elaborates on the religious obligations associated with the holiday, highlighting the importance of the payment of fitr alms (zakat al-fitr). It specifies that the time for giving zakat al-fitr begins after the evening prayer on the last day of Ramadan, on the eve of the holiday. The Fatwa of the Council of Qadis recommends that every person who has the means give 10-15 manats per person as zakat al-fitr. This charity, given for the soul, must be paid by every capable Muslim on behalf of each member of their family to the needy and disadvantaged families, aiming to bring a festive spirit to every household.