A Ramadan tent has been opened just near the Moscow’s Zafer Mosque and will remain open during the last ten days of the Islamic fast. For its fifth anniversary, the tent’s opening day has become an important event, and many religious officials of Russia’s other faith communities have attended.
This year, the tent has been offically recognized by the government by being added to the official list of the city’s religious activities, holidays and festivals.
The tent itself has been transformed into a festival grounds. On the weekend, performers and clowns will be brought to entertain children visitors.
In honor of Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power, the most important night in Ramadan), there will be a Qur’an recitation competition held on 5 September, with participants coming from amongst Muslims living in Moscow.
Last year the tent was open for 10 days; its activities are being greatly expanded this year and will continue for 15 days, the second half of Ramadan.
The opening ceremony this year brought together representatives of the Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic churches, as well as Jewish and Buddhist religious officials to honor the event’s fifth anniversary.
Around 600 guests are expected to visit the tent daily, and are invited to take part in religious and philosophical discussions and listen to Qur’an readings. members of all faiths are given the chance to try out Iftar food and Russian Muslim traditions associated with Ramadan.
The organizers say the main aim of the event is to help people of different confessions to understand the Islamic religion and familiarize themselves with Russian Muslim culture.
The tent was set up for the first time back in 2006 by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, and in time has grown and set an example for similar setups in other parts of Russia.
Sources : IslamToday