Spirituality is the great strength and wisdom of the Turkmen people

Tradition in Turkmenistan is much more than just a tribute to traditions. It is a living reality that permeates society at all levels, but does not constrain its movement, but creates an environment in which the wisdom of experience comes into contact with innovation, heritage - with progress, history - with tomorrow. This applies both to traditional views on certain aspects of life and more "special" traditions, rites, rituals, cultural values, of which the Islamic religion is an integral part.

The present day of the country and its future are directly linked to the humanistic ideals and high moral guidelines inherited from the glorious ancestors. The Turkmen State creates all conditions for ensuring freedom of conscience and provides great support to believers who annually perform the Hajj, which is sacred for every Muslim.

The sacred holidays of Oraza and Kurban Bayram are celebrated at the state level in Turkmenistan.

The continuity of the traditions of wise ancestors is also expressed in doing good deeds and honoring shrines during the blessed days of the holy month of Oraz, which from ancient times marks the human desire for goodness, forgiveness, peace and good neighborliness. In this month Muslims do not just refuse food and water during daylight hours, they close their souls to everything unkind and vicious, striving to do good and do good deeds.

One example is the opening of a new mosque in Anau, which was named "Seyit Jemaletdin Mosque" at the suggestion of the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov as a sign of honoring the ancestors and heritage of the past, as well as respecting the personalities of those who left a bright mark in history.

As Haji-Arkadag noted in his speech at the opening of this center of spirituality and culture, "building roads, bridges and mosques is considered a good deed among Turkmens. As Makhtumkuli Fraghi wrote: "Remezan diýerler aýyň ýagşysyn". Therefore, it is very symbolic that the opening of the new mosque fell on the month of Oraz of this year, marked by celebrations on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the poet and thinker".

During the opening ceremony of the mosque in Anau, the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also said that religious buildings will be opened in the regions of the country during this holy month.

As is known, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in 2022, at the request of regional residents, approved the construction of mosques with adjoining buildings in all five provinces of Turkmenistan for joint meals - sadaqa.

Thus, very soon, along with the mosque in Anau (Akhal province), religious buildings will be opened in the city of Hazar (Balkan province), in Ruhubelent etrap (Dashoguz province), in Dovletli (Lebap province) and in Shatlyk (Mary province).

In addition, a mosque is being built in the new city of Arkadag, it will be the largest in the country. In addition to the mosque itself, the smart city will have a building of a madrasah, a reading room and a room for sacrifices. The mosque will have four minarets. The whole complex will spread over an area of 35 hectares.

The construction of religious buildings is one of the facts of successful implementation of the socially-oriented policy pursued by the State and of strict observance of the rights and freedoms of citizens, including freedom of religion, guaranteed by the Constitution.

It should be reminded that several beautiful centers of spirituality were built in the country during the years of independence. These are the mosque "Turkmenbashi Ruhy" - the largest single-domed mosque in the world and the largest in Central Asia, the mosque "Ertogrul Gaza" built in the Turkish style, a religious building called "Beyik Saparmurat Haji" located in Gokdep, one of the magnificent buildings of Mary - the mosque "Gurbanguly Haji" with turquoise domes and four slender minarets. The main mosques of the regions also operate in the administrative centers of Dashoguz, Lebap and Balkanabat. The Hezreti Omar Mosque, which opened in Ashgabat in 2018, is among them.

As is known, mosques were the first centers of science and education in the Muslim world, the center of spiritual life of the society. Today, religious buildings in Turkmenistan are called upon to serve the multiplication of spiritual health of the nation, strengthening civil harmony in the society, indigenous customs and traditions of the Turkmen people, to bring the light of truth, mercy and goodness to people.

Leyli Ashirova