First Day of Muslim Holiday Eid al-Fitr Declared Official Holiday in Crimea

The government of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea declared the first day of the celebration of Eid al-Fitr as an official holiday for those practicing Islam. The decision of the Crimean government to honor the Muslims of the peninsula was reported by UNIAN.

It is one of the two biggest holidays in Islam, which Muslims celebrate around the world. In most mosques in Crimea and other regions of Ukraine Muslims gathered in the morning for a special prayer.

President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych congratulated the Muslims of Ukraine on Eid al-Fitr – the end of the holy month of Ramadan. He believes that the Islamic community in Ukraine is an example of tolerance and interreligious dialogue in the multireligious environment of the state.