Moscow, March 20 Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday extended greetings to the millions of Muslims in his country on Eid al-Fitr, as more than 200,000 people gathered for Namaz at four different mosques in Moscow.
“For centuries, this holiday has embodied the aspirations of believers for moral improvement, mercy, and compassion, leading them to the enduring values of Islam. I note that Russian Muslims deeply respect the historical and spiritual traditions of their ancestors and widely celebrate this holiday in their communities and family circles. It has become a good custom to hold large-scale charitable, cultural, educational, and children's events during the holy month,” Putin said in his message to Russian Muslims who celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr as “Oraza Bairam” (Roza Festival).
The president also highlighted the role of Muslim organizations in strengthening the institution of the family, educating youth, fostering constructive dialogue with government and public structures, and tirelessly working on patriotic, educational, and humanitarian initiatives.
“And, of course, special words of gratitude go to the followers of Islam who, alongside their comrades in arms, fight for the freedom and independence of the Motherland, and provide support to the families and friends of the heroes,” Putin said, praising their role in the military campaign in Ukraine.
Islamic spiritual leaders in the main Muslim-majority republics of the Russian Federation – Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Chechnya, and Dagestan – also prayed for the fighters in the ranks of the Russian military forces in Ukraine, where Eid-ul-Fitr is a gazetted holiday since the Soviet collapse.
There are approximately 25 million Muslims in Russia, including a large number of migrants from former Soviet Central Asian republics.