Attending the event were President Sadyr Japarov, Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh Marlen Mamataliyev, Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev, and the Mayor of the capital Aibek Junushaliev. The reading of the Quran began at 07:30, half an hour after sunrise.
Later, participants heard sermons, after which the Supreme Mufti of Kyrgyzstan explained the procedure for performing the Ait prayer, including the intention (niyyah), the number of rakats, additional takbirs, and the importance of unity during collective prayer.
Following this, the believers began the joint Ait prayer.
After the prayer concluded, the believers exchanged greetings and dispersed.
Key Points about the Ait Prayer
The Ait prayer, also known as Eid prayer, is a collective prayer performed by Muslims on the holidays of Orozo Ait and Kurman Ait. The time and place for its performance are established by the Spiritual Administration of Muslims in the country.
The festive prayer begins 30 minutes after sunrise and concludes before the noon prayer. In Islam, there are four schools of thought (madhhabs): Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali. According to the Hanafi and Hanbali madhhabs, the Ait prayer is obligatory, while in the Shafi'i and Maliki madhhabs, it is considered a Sunnah, meaning a desirable act.
Travelers and women are exempt from performing the festive prayer; however, they may join the communal prayer if they wish. If someone misses the Ait prayer, according to the Shafi'i madhhab, it is recommended to make it up as soon as possible, although there are no strict deadlines. According to the Hanafi madhhab, if the collective prayer is missed, it is not made up on the same day, but it can be done the next day.
On the days when the Ait prayer is held, it is especially encouraged to observe traditions: to bathe, apply perfume, wear the best clothes, and arrive for prayer early. On the day of Orozo Ait, it is recommended to eat something before going to prayer—preferably an odd number of dates.
