His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia has congratulated Kurban Bayrami to Sead Nasufovic, Reisu-l-ulema of the Islamic Community of Serbia; Abdulah Numan, the Mufti of Serbia; Mevlud Dudic, President of the Meshihat of the Islamic Community; Nusret Abdibegović, the Mufti of Banja Luka; and all believers of the Islamic community in Serbia and the Republic of Srpska.
Kurban Bayrami, also known as Eid al-Adha, is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year. It honours the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command. However, before Abraham could sacrifice his son, God provided a lamb to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this intervention, an animal is sacrificed ritually and divided into three parts. One share is given to the poor and needy, another is kept for home, and the third is given to relatives.
“On the occasion of the forthcoming holiday Kurban Bayrami, I send my sincerest congratulations to all citizens of the Islamic faith. In the spirit of this wonderful holiday of sacrifice and giving, please accept my warm wishes for every fortune and wellbeing”, said Crown Prince Alexander in his letter to the Islamic community.
Islam spread to Serbia during the five centuries of Ottoman rule. The Muslims in Serbia are mostly ethnic Bosniaks, Albanians and a minor but significant part of Roma people, as well as members of the smaller ethnic groups Muslims by nationality and Gorani. According to the 2011 census, there were 228,658 Muslims in Serbia, this is 3.1% of the nation`s total population.
Alexander, Crown Prince of Serbia, is the heir to the defunct throne of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and currently claimant to the abolished throne of the precursor Kingdom of Serbia. He is the head of the House of Karađorđević. Alexander is the only child of former King Peter II and his wife, Alexandra of Greece and Denmark. Alexander is known for his support of monarchism and his humanitarian work for the people of Serbia.
