February 11, 2003, Is An Official Holiday In Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK. This year the Kyrgyzstanis will celebrate the ‘Kurman Ait’ (an annual Muslim festival based on the lunar Muslim calendar, the Feast of the Sacrifice / Id al-Adha) on February 11, 2003. The Kyrgyz Government’s press service said Friday that in accordance with the Labor Code and the governmental decree, this day will be an officially recognized holiday in the country. Usually, the traditional Muslim countries celebrate the festivity several days. However, the post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan officially celebrates the ‘Kurman Ait’ one day only. During the Soviet atheist regime the ordinary Muslim citizens of Kyrgyzstan had been marking the festival unofficially. The festival has a historical resemblance with the religious sacrifice traditions of the ancient (pre-Islamic) Kyrgyz.

(Compiled and translated by Tyntchtykbek Tchoroev in Prague).