- Title: RELIGION-EID/CRIMEA Crimean Tatars in Russia-annexed peninsula celebrate Eid
- Date: 20th July 2015
- Summary: PEOPLE APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DEPUTY HEAD OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE CRIMEAN REPUBLIC, RUSLAN BALBEK, SAYING: "This is one of the most revered holidays for the Muslims. And today not only thousands of Muslims gathered for this celebration, but all the Crimean residents shared the celebration, shared the happy mood with the Crimean Muslims." VARIOUS OF MO
- Embargoed: 4th August 2015 13:00
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- Topics: General
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- Story Text: Crimean Tatar Muslims held Eid celebrations on Sunday (July 19) with festivities as local authorities announced a public holiday for all residents of the Russia-annexed Ukrainian peninsula.
People flocked to one of the parks in the city of Simferopol to mark the end of Ramadan.
Muslims who observed traditional fast throughout the Holy Month could finally enjoy meals in the daylight, served to the public, listening to the traditional music on stage.
Visitors could also try their hand in arm wrestling and watch wrestling competitions.
Simferopol resident Idiya Gallyamova said she was happy to share the joy with all the fellow citizens.
"The celebration goes on very well, very joyfully. And we are happy that it turned out that we can celebrate officially, and that this day became a holiday for all Crimea residents. It never happened before, this is the first time," she said.
Crimea Mufti, Hajji Emirali Ablayev, also attended the celebrations and said the day was a good time to address God.
"On this celebration we congratulate each other and wish people good. We pray to God for what we have. We pray for the beauty around and for peace," he said.
Deputy Head of the Council of Ministers of the Crimean Republic, Ruslan Balbek, said that people of any faith could join the celebrations.
"This is one of the most revered holidays for the Muslims. And today not only thousands of Muslims gathered for this celebration, but all the Crimean residents shared the celebration, shared the happy mood with the Crimean Muslims," Balbek said.
The mosques indeed gathered numerous believers, who came to pray and to congratulate each other.
Crimean Tatars, a Turkic-speaking Muslim community long present on the Black Sea, make up about 12 percent of Crimea's 2 million population.
Russia intervened in Crimea after the toppling of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich following deadly clashes between riot police and protesters trying to overturn his decision to spurn a trade and cooperation deal with the EU in favour of cultivating closer relations with old Soviet master Moscow.
Since then several Crimean Tatar holidays including Eid and National Flag day celebrations have been made public holidays by the local authorities. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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