Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is one of the most important holidays for Muslims around the world. It is celebrated at the end of the holy month of Ramadan — a month of fasting, worship, and devotion to God. Eid al-Fitr symbolizes the conclusion of a period of patience, self-restraint, and spiritual closeness to Allah, offering Muslims a moment to express gratitude, joy, and love for one another.
The festive morning begins with the special Eid al-Fitr prayer, which Muslims perform collectively in mosques or in open prayer areas. After the prayer, believers greet one another, visit family, friends, and neighbors, and share the spirit of celebration. Charity, assistance to the needy, and giving Zakat al-Fitr (a mandatory almsgiving) are important Sunnahs of this day, aimed at supporting the poor and less fortunate.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 38)
This blessed hadith emphasizes the significance of the month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr as a divine opportunity for forgiveness and spiritual purification.
Eid tables are adorned with delicious traditional dishes — such as plov, samosas, halwa, and various sweets. Children dress in new clothes and receive gifts or treats from adults, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere.
However, in Tajikistan, under the dictatorial rule of Rahmonov, one of the most beautiful traditions — idgardoni (children going house-to-house during Eid) — is gradually disappearing. This custom, in which children dressed in festive clothes visited neighboring homes to offer Eid greetings and receive eggs, sweets, or candy in return, was effectively banned after the adoption of the 2007 Law on “Regulation of Traditions, Celebrations, and Ceremonies” and its subsequent amendments. Under the pretext of combating “extravagance,” this traditional cultural practice was restricted, and in many regions, people abandoned the tradition out of fear of fines or legal consequences.
At the same time, lavish state-funded celebrations such as Nowruz and International Women’s Day (March 8) continue to be observed with massive expenditures from the state budget — including parades, concerts, and extravagant shows. For instance, millions of somoni are spent annually on Nowruz festivities, which have repeatedly been criticized by the public for government overspending. In reality, these events have become more of a political spectacle for dictator Rahmonov than genuine national celebrations.
Eid al-Fitr is not just a religious holiday — it is also a vital means of strengthening family ties, friendship, and social unity. However, the restrictions imposed by the regime of dictator Rahmonov are steadily eroding these cultural and religious traditions.
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Conclusion
Eid al-Fitr carries a message of peace, kindness, and mutual understanding. It reminds every individual that patience, self-awareness, and good deeds are ultimately rewarded with joy and blessings. Yet the authoritarian regime of dictator Rahmonov, under the guise of “regulation,” restricts religious holidays — including the tradition of children’s Eid visits — while at the same time promoting extravagant and performative celebrations such as Nowruz and March 8, often with clear political motives.
This hypocrisy clearly exposes the regime’s true agenda: to weaken the influence of Islam in society while tightening political control over people’s lives. Nevertheless, Muslims in Tajikistan continue to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with sincerity, devotion, and love.
Seizing this blessed opportunity, the political movement “Group 24” extends its heartfelt congratulations to all of you on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. We pray to the Almighty to accept all our acts of worship during this month of Ramadan and to grant our nation swift liberation from the bloody regime of Rahmonov. Ameen.
Eid al-Fitr Mubarak!
Political Movement “Group 24”
