How is Kyrgyzstan planning to celebrate this rare event if the third Saturday of March will be the day of two significant holidays?
First of all, attention should be drawn to the weekend schedule. March 21, despite being a Saturday, will not have a transfer of the day off to Monday as per the new Labor Code rules, so Kyrgyzstanis will celebrate the holidays within the usual weekend framework.
“Information about the exact date of the Ait celebration has not yet been received; however, if it coincides with Saturday, there will be no transfer of the day off,” the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration reported.
The Ministry of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy has already begun preparations for the celebration. This year, the main venue will be the city of Naryn, while the event program is in the approval stage. The participation of President Sadyr Japarov in the festivities is expected.
“If Orozo Ait indeed falls on March 21, then in the morning, a festive Ait namaz will take place, after which events dedicated to Nowruz will continue,” the press service of the Ministry of Culture explained.
Mars Ibraev, a member of the Council of Ulema of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan, noted that both holidays are different in essence and do not contradict each other. Orozo Ait follows a fast that lasts 29 or 30 days depending on the new moons, and its date cannot be changed due to state holidays.
“Nowruz, being a state-level holiday, will be celebrated in its own order. At the same time, Muslims will celebrate Orozo Ait according to religious traditions. These holidays do not overlap, and there is no basis for opposing them,” he added.
It is worth noting that for many years, festive Ait namaz has traditionally been held in central squares in Kyrgyzstan. However, in 2020-2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic, this tradition was suspended, and only later were prayers in the open air resumed. Starting in 2024, it has been decided that festive namaz will take place exclusively in mosques.
