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Islamic holidays form an important segment of the list of all inclusive Tajikistan holidays. The biggest event of the year in Tajikistan is the festival of Navruz, whose literal meaning is 'New Day', held in spring. Navruz celebrates the beginning of the Persian New Year, which is the spring equinox. Therefore, the Navruz date varies according to the timing of the equinox. The festival has its roots in the Zoroastrian religion, the religion followed by the Persians before they converted to Islam. This religion is famous for worshiping fire.
There are two Islamic holidays at Tajikistan every year. These are Eid-i-Ramazon and Eid-i-Kurbon. Eid-i-Ramazon stretches for three days and denotes the end of the Muslim month of Ramazon ( the month characterized by fasting from sunrise to sunset). In quite a few Muslim countries, Ramazon is termed Ramadan; in Arabic, Eid-i-Ramazon is termed Eid-al-Fitr. Eid-i-Ramazon, one of the major holidays of Tajikistan, takes place 70 days after the end of Ramazon. Abraham sacrificed a sheep instead of his own son Ishmael. Kurbon reminds the Muslims of this event. In Arabic, Eid-i-Kurbon is termed Eid-al-Adha).
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. Hence, every year, the festival holidays in Tajikistan go back by about ten days. Some national holidays are given below, though the dates are approximate. The exact date of any Muslim festival depends on viewing the full moon.
List of Tajikistan Holidays
New Year's Day - January 1
Independence Day - September 9
International Labor Day - May 1
International Women's Day - March 8
Victory Day - May 9
Constitution Day - November 6
Navruz (Persian New Year) - March 20-22
National Reconciliation Day - November 9
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