Muslims of Astana celebrate Kurban Ait

Astana, 9 December 2008, (Khabar) - The capital’s central mosque “Nur Astana” was full of people since early morning. Thousands of Muslims came to read festive ait-namaz and wish each other kindness. The central mosque couldn’t accept everybody that’s why many people prayed outside the mosque. According to the initiative of the head of the state, Muslim Kurban Ait and Orthodox Christmas are rest days in Kazakhstan for the third year. On this day the believers visit each other and congratulate relatives and friends.

Aizhan Zholdybayeva, Astana resident:
- I congratulate all Astana residents on Kurban Ait. I wish from the bottom of my heart calmness and main, mutual understanding among nations and happiness.

During Kurban Ait believers forgive offences to each other, wish kindness and well-being. Every Muslim must sacrifice an animal.

Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, chairman of Senate of Parliament of RK:
- Nowadays the events in the world develop ambiguously and we faced crisis. But it is a temporary phenomenon. Crisis happens and ends but the main is unity of people. That’s why I would like to wish our people just unity, uniting of nations around our President, who is acknowledged national leader. If there is unity, there is success.

Abish Kekilbayev, Senate deputy of Parliament of RK:
- On this day everybody congratulate each other and wish kind wishes to each other. May Allah to realize all the wishes.

Currently, there are over 2 000 mosques in Kazakhstan and every year their number and quantity of parishioners is increasing.