Caucasian Muslims Office appeals to believers on occasion of Muharram holy month

The Council of Veterans of the Caucasian Muslims Office (CMO) has issued an appeal on the occasion of the start of the Islamic holy month of Muharram.

Report quotes the appeal as saying below:

“Dear believing brothers and sisters!

We bring to your attention that the year 1443 according to the Hijri calendar ends and a new year, 1444, begins. This year, the 1st day of the month of Muharram 1444 falls on July 30 in the Gregorian calendar, and Ashura falls on August 8.

We would like to remind believers that inflicting bodily harm on oneself through self-torture, and bloodletting during mourning ceremonies in the month of Muharram is contrary to Sharia. If believers want to express their grief in memory of the martyrs of Karbala, then the most appropriate way can be blood donation for medical needs, organized in recent years at the initiative of the Caucasus Muslims Office and highly appreciated by our people.

We hope that believers, as before, in memory of Imam Hussein (a) will support this humane initiative of the CMO and donate blood in the branches of the Blood Bank in the capital [of Azerbaijan, Baku city] and districts, as well as in other medical institutions, and give life to thousands of sick people, children, suffering from hereditary diseases. The addresses of these points can be found on the official website of the CMO http://www.qafqazislam.com/.

We also bring to the attention of our representatives in the field so that they comply with the provisions of the law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On freedom of religion” and conduct religious rites on the territory of mosques and places of worship. In particular, given the growing trend of the pandemic in recent days, mourning events should be carried out in accordance with medical and preventive rules. It is important that these recommendations be brought to the attention of believers in the regions by the clergy, and authorized representatives should submit a report on the measures taken to the Caucasus Muslims Office.”