site.btaPresident Radev: Kurban Bayram Reminds Us of Need for Justice, Solidarity, Compassion

Head of State Rumen Radev congratulates the representatives of the Muslim community in Bulgaria on the occasion of Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha, or Feast of the Sacrifice), the President's press secretariat reported Friday.

"Kurban Bayram reminds us of the need for justice, solidarity, and compassion, of the meaning and importance of our attitude towards our fellow man," Radev says in his address. He notes that "these common human values should be an integral part of our existence and lead us to a brighter future." 

The President also says that Kurban Bayram is a celebration of faith, mercy and spiritual uplift, and wishes the entire Muslim community in Bulgaria peace, health, and prosperity. 

Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha, or Feast of the Sacrifice) is celebrated for four days, during which families meet and take forgiveness. The day heralding the coming of Bayram is called Arafat Day. Then women knead mekitsa, home-made cakes, prepare halva and distribute the food to their neighbours, relatives and friends for the souls of the deceased. On the first day of the holiday, a traditional prayer called Bayram Namaz is said in which only men participate. It is preceded by the customary morning prayer, Sabah Namaz, and the time between the two is filled with the reading of sermons specially prepared for the occasion. A major tradition of the festival is the sacrifice of animals for health, success, and prosperity. Tradition dictates that the wealthy give a portion of the sacrificed animal to relatives and poor families.