Ramadan is set to begin on March 1, 2025, marking a significant period for Muslims worldwide, including those in Kazan and Tatarstan. This holy month is celebrated with community togetherness through iftar gatherings, which are planned to take place across 47 mosques throughout the city.
Each evening, as the sun sets, believers will gather to break their fast and partake in iftar meals at various mosques. The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Tatarstan (DUM RT) has organized these events to unite the community and promote shared values of charity and compassion. Starting from February 28, 2025, the first collective tarawih prayers will be held after the evening prayer, with the first being led at the historic Al-Mardzhani Mosque by Sheikh Mamun Ar-Rawi, who is known as a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
Local mosques, including Nur-el-Islam and Salikhzhan, located throughout Kazan's districts, will serve as venues for these gatherings, with many also providing iftar boxes for attendees. This initiative aims to provide nourishment and fellowship, contributing to the spirit of camaraderie during this sacred month. The neighborhoods involved range from Aviastroitelny to Sovetsky districts.
Individuals participating will be expected to engage not only in fasting but also actively contribute to charitable acts. Ramadan is widely recognized as the month of benevolence, with Muslims encouraged to help those who are less fortunate. According to Ilyafar Hazrat Khasanov, the first deputy mufti of Tatarstan, this month is not just about refraining from food and drink from dusk till dawn but is fundamentally about compassion and kindness as well.
This year, the DUM RT has set the minimum amount for zakat (charity) at 200 rubles per person, and for those who cannot fast due to medical conditions, the compensation—or fidya—is calculated at 400 rubles for each missed fasting day. "On this money, it is necessary to feed the poor and the needy," explained Rustam Hazrat Nurgaleev, head of the Charity Committee.
Last Ramadan, the Zakat fund provided assistance totaling 4 million rubles to 70 needy recipients, including 34 sick children who received about 1.9 million rubles. According to Bulat Mardanov, head of the Zakat charitable fund, the goal this year is to help even more individuals and families, with plans for assistance projected to reach approximately 5 million rubles.
Community events will culminate with the Republican Iftar celebration set for March 19 at the Kazan Expo Center, where up to 13,000 guests are anticipated. This large gathering emphasizes the unity of the local Muslim community and the collective spirit of celebration during Ramadan.
Beyond the shared meals and prayers, Ramadan involves strict discipline, with fasting from dawn until dusk serving as time for reflection and penance. Muslims are encouraged to engage more deeply with their spirituality during this period. According to the Ayatollah, "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so perhaps you will attain righteousness" (Quran 2:183).
Participation extends to various facets of daily life as Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in other forms of entertainment. Important rituals include the pre-dawn meal known as suhoor and the breaking of the fast at iftar. It is customary to break the fast with dates and water, reinforcing cultural traditions.
This commitment to spirituality and charity is expected to inspire the faithful throughout Tatarstan. Various contests will also engage the community, including decorations for homes and mosques during Ramadan, where participants may win prizes such as pilgrimage packages.
With Ramadan commencing under the expectations of higher community involvement and charity, and ending with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, it's set to be both spiritually uplifting and socially responsible for all involved. The entire month is not just about self-restraint but about giving, community support, and reinforcing faith.
How Muslims choose to observe these traditions simultaneously fosters collective faith and aligns with the core principles of Islam, as enshrined by the Five Pillars of Islam. The community collectively anticipates the arrival of Ramadan—an opportunity for both reflection and generosity.