Republic of Tatarstan - religion unites a multinational population. And this is no exaggeration. One of the most multinational republics in the Russian Federation is Tatarstan. About 3.8 million people living in the territory are represented by more than 115 nationalities, the vast majority of which are Tatars. Religion (Islam) is one of the most basic. About 52.9% of the total population of Tatarstan are Muslims, which led to the predominance of Sunni Islam in this wonderful republic.
The main Tatar religion - Sunni Islam, of course, considers the Koran, as well as the Sunnah, the so-called words of the Prophet Muhammad as its primary basis. Sunnis-Tatars, whose religion does not recognize the possibility of mediation between commoners and Allah after the Prophet Muhammad meets his death, hold in the communities a kind of election of governors - caliphs, who carry out the connection between Muslims and the supreme Deity.
Muslim traditions and customs are observed, of course, by all Tatars. Religion Islam means:
-firstly, the recognition of the Prophet Muhammad by the Messenger of Allah, as well as the unquestioning submission and worship of the supreme God;
secondly, reading the daily prayer salad;
thirdly, the filing by each Muslim of “zakat” - a tax in the amount of 2.5% of the total capital accumulated over 12 months in favor of the poor and the poor;
fourthly, the observance of the sacred fast “saum”, which lasts throughout the month of Ramadan;
fifth, a pilgrimage to Mecca. It is believed that a true Muslim must at least once in his life perform a “hajj”.
One of the most revered Muslim holidays is Uraza Bayram and Kurban Bayram. Eid al Fitr (or Uraza Bayram) is a celebration dedicated to the end of the holy month of Ramadan. On this day, all relatives gather in one house, in a cozy atmosphere, since there is a belief that it is on this day that the souls of all relatives who left this world return to their loved ones.
Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) is a holiday when all Muslims of the world make sacrifices to praise the Most High God of Allah. Sacrificing an animal is not necessary, but is counted by the Divine and rewarded in the future with material wealth, which is equal to the number of hairs growing on the body of the sacrificed beast.
The second religion in the number of believers is Orthodoxy. About 40% of the population of Tatarstan are adherents of this faith. A large number of temples and churches are concentrated in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. On major Orthodox holidays, such as Easter, Christmas, Baptism, and many others, churches are crowded with believers.
In addition to Orthodoxy and Islam in the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan, you can find a fairly large number of believers professing Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Judaism, Confucianism. This is evidenced, firstly, by the fact that in 2008 about 1,400 religious organizations were officially registered in the Republic of Tatarstan . Secondly, 1400 religious buildings. Moreover, Muslim mosques occupy the vast majority - 1150 buildings. Orthodox churches, temples, cathedrals and chapels, there are 200 structures. The remaining 50 places of worship belong to other faiths.
Tatars, whose religion is divided into a huge number of branches - are very peaceful and friendly people. According to local residents, despite religion, all people walk under one God, therefore it is wrong to oppress someone because of his religious views and should be punished by law. The most important quality that is characteristic of the Tatar people is tolerance and tolerance.