Holidays

The majority of the population in the Near and the Middle East profess Islam, that is why the most important holidays are Muslim ones. The Muslim New Year is celebrated on 1 Muharram (by lunar calendar). From the 10th day of the same month the Shiites observe the Day of Mourning (Ashura) to commemorate the martyr's death of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Husain, this event is marked by a special procession and a theatrical performance. On the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal - Mawlid an-Nabi - all the Muslims celebrate the birthday of Muhammad, the prophet. On the 27th day of the month of Rajab Al Isra wal Miraj is celebrated - the holiday symbolizing the night travel of the prophet from Mecca to Jerusalem, and from there to the skies. On the 27th day of Ramadan (the month of fasting) the Muslims stay awake and pray at night time Laylat al-Quadr (the Night of Power and Predestination), and on the first day of the following month of Shawwal they make a plentiful meal to Eid al- Fitr (first meal after fasting, or Minor Holiday). The holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice), or the Grand Holiday begins on 10 Zul Hijja. It is connected with the legend, telling about Ibrahim (or the Bible Abraham) who was going to sacrifice his son Ismail to God. On this day every true Muslim must sacrifice a goat, a sheep, a cow or a camel and share the meat with the poor.

The Persians, Kurds, partially the population of Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan and some other countries of the South-West Asia solemnly celebrate Nouruz (New Day). Nouruz with the passing of the Sun into the vernal equinox , which is considered the beginning of a new year, is celebrated with complex ancient rituals, (purification by fire and water, treating the spirits of the ancestors with meals; a meal with seven items, each name of them beginning with the letter "s", and the like). The Christians of all types also mark the twelve Great Feasts and the days of common Christian and local saints. The adepts of Judaism celebrate Jewish New Year Rosh ha-Shanah in the month of Tishri, Yom Kipper (The Day of Atonement) on the 10th day of the same month and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) - on the 12th day; Hannukah is celebrated on the 25 Kislev , Purim - on the 14 of Adar, spring and summer holiday Pesach and the autumn holiday Shavuot - in the Hebrew month of Sivan, the 6th and so on. The Jews revere Saturday, the Christians - Sunday. The Muslims take part in the common Friday prayer, the Druze pray together on Thursday afternoon. The representatives of each ethno-confessional group have a holiday system of their own.

The Musicians at the Wedding. Yemen. Hadhramaut.     The Arabs of Yemen. M.A.Rodionov. 2006.		Pahlavan-fighters (literary translation - strong, powerful men),    the Participants of a picturesque and favourite performance in Iran.   Iran (Persia). The Iranians. A. Sevryugin.    The end of the 19th century.