DUSHANBE, September 13, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon has congratulated Tajik Muslims on the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

In a message of congratulations, posted on presidential website on September 13, Emomali Rahmon noted that Ramadan is the month of spiritual cleansing and bodily harmony, which promotes the strengthening of such qualities in people as restraint, wisdom, tolerance, compassion and mercy for many centuries.

The president noted that thanks to independence Tajik Muslims now can practice all Islamic rituals freely.  According to him, the country’s authorities not only protect freedom of religion but also create all necessary conditions for realization of it.

He reminded that he had given a commission to the Academy of Sciences to prepare and public the Koran in the Tajik language and distribute a part of the circulation among population in a form of donation.  “One of goals of this action is to raise religious culture of the people,” Rahmon said.

He also noted that during a visit of the Emir of Qatar to Tajikistan an agreement had been reached on construction of big mosque in Dushanbe, which would personify the center uniting the nation. 

Emomali Rahmon called for charity during the holy month of Ramadan.  If people want to make charitable donations during the month of Ramadan, they should do so in accordance with canons of Islam.  The head of state said that the best manifestation of charity would be support for vulnerable people, elderly people who have no relatives and orphaned children, noting that public charity had been established for this purpose.  

He also noted that during Ramadan, entrepreneurs in Islamic countries lower prices, while in Tajikistan on the contrary, prices rise during Ramadan.