Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.16 / Trend T. Hajiyev /
Chairman of the Clerical Office of the Caucasus Muslims Sheikh-ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade expressed condolences to all Muslims on Ashura day.
"Today, we must honor martyrs who died defending their homeland. Those who died on Ashura day reminds us of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Karabakh. Today we are holding the commemoration ceremony of Imam Hussein, as well as our martyrs," Pashazade told media.
The Caucasus Muslims Office urged people to respect the laws of the state and society and not to go beyond the generally accepted laws.
"It is possible to honor the memory of Imam Hussein and bewail him. But people use this day and cause harm to themselves with the help of various items. It is not approved by Islam. Therefore, we issued a fatwa in accordance with which the ceremonies must be held," he said.
A campaign of voluntary blood donations has started today from 8:00 (Baku time) in the mosques in Azerbaijan. Pashazade also participated in the campaign.
Donated blood is tested for infections, and then is infused in patients in the Central Blood Bank in accordance with the standards. The collected blood mainly will go to meet the needs of patients with thalassemia and gene disease, the Central Blood Bank's doctor Hagigat Aliyeva told Trend.
About 100 volunteers donated blood by 10:00 at the Taza Pir mosque.
The Caucasus Muslims Office announced the names of mosques and places of pilgrimage, where voluntary blood donations will be held on Ashura Day - December 16.
Blood donation campaigns on this day will be held in the mosques of Taza Pir, Haji Sultanali, Bibi-Heybat, Mir-Movsum aga, Garachuhur, Sumgait Mosque, the Imamzade mosque in Ganja, in the Heydar mosque in Mingachevir, the Sheki mosque, the Shirvan Mosque, the Boyukbazar Mosque in Lankaran and the Barda mosque, the Caucasus Muslims Office spokesperson Rahima Dadashova told Trend.
The Caucasus Muslims Office urges citizens to perform religious orders in connection with Ashura day in a calm atmosphere, without bloodletting and maiming, as well as to keep order and discipline in the holy places.
A grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s) and Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib's son Imam Hussein and 71 of his supporters were killed by Yezid ibn Muawiya's troops 1368 years ago on the day of Ashura - the 10th day of Muharram.
Azerbaijan, as well as countries with a prevalent Shiite population, hold ceremonies of commemoration of the killed posterity of the Prophet and other Muslims.