Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim! (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful!)

The Council of Qadis and the authorized representatives of the Caucasus Muslims Board bring to the attention of Muslim brothers and sisters that the year 1447 of the Hijri lunar calendar is coming to a close. According to the calendar compiled by the Fatwa Department of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Administrations of the Organization of Turkic States, as well as the calculations of the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the beginning of the new year 1448 — the 1st of Muharram — will fall on June 16 of the Gregorian calendar, and Ashura on June 25, insha'Allah.

The Day of Ashura in the month of Muharram, which has left its mark on the memory of Azerbaijan's believers for centuries — the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), the beloved grandson of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), together with his family and companions, who were subjected to injustice and oppression — is regarded in world history as a chronicle of steadfastness in the cause of truth. The martyrs of Karbala turned Islam's precept of "enjoining good and forbidding evil" into a true example for the entire Ummah, creating a perfect moral model of martyrdom for the sake of religion and faith, as well as for Homeland, land, family honor, justice, and sacred ideals. We all remember well the historic speech of National Leader Heydar Aliyev at the Ashura ceremony at the Tazapir Mosque, in which he said: "From this day forward, we shall never forget the heroism and martyrdom of His Holiness Imam Hussein and all his companions, who fell as martyrs in the cause of truth and justice, land, and Homeland." His successor, who continues his political course — our head of state, President Ilham Aliyev — has remained faithful to this conviction, reaffirming our national identity with the words: "The religion of Islam is an inseparable part of our history, our past, and our present life."

We offer praise and thanks to the Almighty Creator for the pride and joy that our glorious Army brought us in the Patriotic War under the leadership of the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, and we pray for the prosperity of our state. The launch of reconstruction in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, liberated from occupation, the restoration of our religious and cultural monuments, and the Great Return of our compatriots to their native lands — all of these are our wishes and prayers realized, by the Grace of Allah the Almighty, through the efforts of our wise head of state.

As the Council of Qadis, we would like to remind our believers that during the mourning ceremonies held over the 60 days of the months of Muharram and Safar — and especially during the Tasua and Ashura mourning rites — inflicting injury on the body with various implements, drawing blood, stripping to the waist and beating the chest, and similar practices are unacceptable according to our religion. The CMB Council of Qadis likewise brings to the attention of its representatives in the regions that qadis and imams must observe the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Freedom of Religious Belief" and hold religious ceremonies in mosques, shrines, and the territories belonging to them. Under the laws of Azerbaijan, the chanting of slogans that harm our national and spiritual values and our traditions of statehood, the use of attributes inconsistent with state symbols, street processions, and breaches of public order are not permitted during mourning ceremonies. We would especially like to note that sermons and khutbahs delivered by Azerbaijan's religious figures in mosques should embody love of the Homeland, devotion to national values, honor, and dignity. During the Muharram period, in our worship and prayers, alongside the martyrs of Karbala, it is our debt of loyalty to honor the cherished memory of our heroic sons who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in the First and Second Karabakh Wars, as well as the victims of January 20 and the Khojaly genocide — asking Allah's mercy for our martyrs and healing for our veterans. It is essential that religious figures in the regions convey these recommendations to believers, and qadis and authorized representatives must submit full reports to the Caucasus Muslims Board on the measures carried out in their regional mosques.

One of the important observances of the Muharram period — the blood donation drive held in memory of the martyrs of Karbala — is an event realized on the direct initiative of the Caucasus Muslims Board and welcomed by the people as the most fitting form of mourning worthy of our sacred religion. We are hopeful that, insha'Allah, our believers will continue this humanitarian tradition this year as well — donating blood, for the sake of Allah and with the intention of charity in memory of Imam Hussein (a.s.) and the beloved martyrs, at the blood bank's branches in the capital and the regions, as well as at other healthcare facilities, thereby helping thousands of patients and contributing to the healing of children suffering from hereditary illnesses. The addresses of these locations will be posted on the official website of the Caucasus Muslims Board (www.qafqazislam.com).

In these blessed days of Muharram, as stated in the noble hadith of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), we ask Allah's mercy for our martyrs — who have risen to the highest station of faith and spirituality before Allah — healing for our veterans, and steadfastness and happiness for all our people. May Allah the Almighty protect our people and our state, and may He forever grant success to the work of our head of state and Supreme Commander-in-Chief for the sake of Azerbaijan!

Wa-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh!

Baku, 11 June 2026

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