The International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed concern over new legislative initiatives by the Georgian government and ruling party that restrict independent media funding.
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr from June 16 to 19. In Chechnya, June 17 and 18 are declared non-working days. The corresponding decree was signed by the head of the republic. One non-working day – June 17 – was announced in Kabardino-Balkaria, Ingushetia, Dagestan and Karachay-Cherkessia.
Eid al-Fitr is one of the two main Muslim holidays, which is celebrated 70 days after Eid al-Adha. It marks the end of the Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca that is considered one of the “pillars of faith” in Islam.
The main meaning of the celebration is to remind all Muslims of man’s devotion to God and his mercy. The history of the holiday refers to the Koran (the holy book of Muslims), to the sura (chapter), which describes the attempt of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.